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City Report · CO

Denver

Pop. 718,877·49th most expensive in Colorado·Rental market data updated monthly for Denver, CO
Median rent (all units)
$1,860/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.7%
Month-over-Month
+0.8%
vs US Median
-$91
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Denver · $1,860
More expensive than 50% of US cities · National median $1,951/mo
Rent Reality Score
70/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 10% below what Denver's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,860/mo
Expected by trend
$2,069/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Denver's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,714
1 BR
$1,874
2 BR
$2,243
3 BR
$2,928
4 BR+
$3,277
Research median
$2,243/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$22,320/yr
At $1,860/mo median
Market timing
Rents rising
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Demographics

Who lives here

Denver, CO is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 56.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
718,877
Median income
$94,718
Median age
35.3
Renters
51.2%
Age distribution
18%
31.4%
28.7%
12.5%
Under 1818%
18–3431.4%
35–5428.7%
55–649.4%
65+12.5%
Gender
50.5%
49.5%
Male50.5%
Female49.5%
Race & ethnicity
59.3%
28%
White59.3%
Black9%
Hispanic28%
Asian3.7%
Education (25+)
14.4%
20.2%
56.5%
No HS diploma8.8%
HS diploma14.4%
Some college20.2%
Bachelor's+56.5%
Housing tenure
48.8%
51.2%
Owner48.8%
Renter51.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Denver, CO has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,600 → $1,860
up 16.3%
Income
$78,177 → $94,718
up 21.2%
Population
706,799 → 718,877
up 1.7%
Renter share
50.4% → 51.2%
+0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
52.5% → 56.5%
+4.0 pts
Median age
34.8 → 35.3
+0.5 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Denver, CO has climbed by $260 per month, settling near $1,860 after starting the period at $1,600. On the earnings side, the typical household in Denver, CO now reports about $94,718, up from $78,177 in 2021. Income growth outran rent by about 4.9 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. Headcount in the area went from 706,799 to 718,877 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.7% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 52.5% to 56.5%. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Denver, CO reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Denver

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View Denver rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Denver on your salary?

At $1,860/mo, how Denver rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Denver rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Denver. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Denver

About renting in Denver, CO

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Denver is $1,860/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,714/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,243/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,874/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,928/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($94,718/yr), Denver ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Denver an affordable city for renters?

Denver is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,860/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($94,718/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Denver falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Denver?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $74,000/year (~$36/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,860/mo in Denver. The local median household income is $94,718/yr, meaning the typical Denver household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Denver?

Rent in Denver has increased 1.7% over the past year as of June 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Denver neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Denver are 80246 ($1,373/mo), 80231 ($1,467/mo), and 80218 ($1,495/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Denver is $1,860/mo.

How does Denver rent compare to other cities in Colorado?

Denver is one of the more affordable cities in Colorado for rent, ranking #49 out of 68 tracked cities at $1,860/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Denver?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Denver ($1,860/mo): Glendale ($1,377/mo), Federal Heights ($1,654/mo), Englewood ($1,843/mo).

What percentage of Denver residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 51.2% of Denver households are renters, while 48.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Denver has a strong rental market.

How does Denver rent compare to the national average?

Denver's median rent of $1,860/mo is $91 (5%) below the US national median of $1,951/mo. Within Colorado, it ranks #49 out of 68 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,860/mo, rent takes ~24% of Denver's median household income ($94,718/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Denver 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.4%
Run the Denver affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Denver, CO

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