How much does it cost to rent in Golden, CO?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Golden, CO is $2,295. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Golden cheaper than other Colorado cities?

Golden falls in the middle range for Colorado, ranking #25 out of 66 cities at $2,295/mo.

When was Golden rent data last updated?

Golden rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CO

Golden

Name: Average Rent Prices in Golden, CO
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 20,417·25th most expensive in Colorado·Golden rents are up 11.3% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,295/mo

Year-over-Year

+11.3%

Month-over-Month

Stable

vs US Median

+$330

Stable (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Golden rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Golden · $2,295

More expensive than 73% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

60/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what Golden's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,295/mo

Expected by trend

$2,418/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Golden's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,685

1 BR

$1,840

2 BR

$2,200

3 BR

$2,875

4 BR+

$3,220

Research median

$2,200/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$27,540/yr

At $2,295/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 11.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+11.3% YoY, +0.0% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Golden, CO is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 59.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

20,417

Median income

$98,582

Median age

34.6

Renters

43.2%

Age distribution

16.7%

33.9%

24.8%

13.2%

Under 1816.7%

18–3433.9%

35–5424.8%

55–6411.5%

65+13.2%

Gender

58%

42%

Male58%

Female42%

Race & ethnicity

84.4%

White84.4%

Black1.1%

Hispanic7.9%

Asian4%

Other2.7%

Education (25+)

16.2%

20.7%

59.1%

No HS diploma4.1%

HS diploma16.2%

Some college20.7%

Bachelor's+59.1%

Housing tenure

56.8%

43.2%

Owner56.8%

Renter43.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Golden, CO has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,755 → $2,295

up 30.8%

Income

$83,976 → $98,582

up 17.4%

Population

20,041 → 20,417

up 1.9%

Renter share

41.2% → 43.2%

+2.0 pts

Bachelor's+

55.6% → 59.1%

+3.5 pts

Rent in Golden, CO has increased 30.8% since 2021, going from about $1,755 per month to roughly $2,295 today. Census figures show median household income at $98,582 today, compared with $83,976 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 13.4 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 20,041 to 20,417 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.9% change. About 43.2% of households rent today, against 41.2% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 55.6% to 59.1%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Golden

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View Golden rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Golden on your salary?

At $2,295/mo, how Golden rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $99,204/yr · Rent = 27.8% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $70,434/yr · Rent = 39.1% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $81,134/yr · Rent = 33.9% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $145,016/yr · Rent = 19% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $185,294/yr · Rent = 14.9% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $65,951/yr · Rent = 41.8% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $59,546/yr · Rent = 46.2% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $73,395/yr · Rent = 37.5% income

stretched

By apartment size

Golden rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Golden

About renting in Golden, CO

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Golden is $2,295/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,685/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,200/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,840/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,875/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($98,582/yr), Golden ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Golden an affordable city for renters?

Golden is considered affordable for renters. At $2,295/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($98,582/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Golden falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Golden?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $92,000/year (~$44/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,295/mo in Golden. The local median household income is $98,582/yr, meaning the typical Golden household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Golden?

Rent in Golden has increased 11.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Golden neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Golden are 80401 ($2,184/mo), and 80403 ($2,737/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Golden is $2,295/mo.

How does Golden rent compare to other cities in Colorado?

Golden is middle-of-the-pack for Colorado for rent, ranking #25 out of 66 tracked cities at $2,295/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Golden?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Golden ($2,295/mo): Lakewood ($1,814/mo), Wheat Ridge ($2,014/mo), Arvada ($2,094/mo).

What percentage of Golden residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.2% of Golden households are renters, while 56.8% are owner-occupied. Golden leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Golden rent compare to the national average?

Golden's median rent of $2,295/mo is $330 (17%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Colorado, it ranks #25 out of 66 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

28%

AFFORDABLE

At $2,295/mo, rent takes ~28% of Golden's median household income ($98,582/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Golden 28%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.4%

Run the Golden affordability calculator →

Nearby cities