How much does it cost to rent in Highlands Ranch, CO?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Highlands Ranch, CO is $2,650. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Highlands Ranch cheaper than other Colorado cities?

Highlands Ranch is one of the pricier cities in Colorado, ranking #9 out of 66 cities tracked at $2,650/mo.

When was Highlands Ranch rent data last updated?

Highlands Ranch 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

Highlands Ranch

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

Pop. 102,257·9th most expensive in Colorado·Highlands Ranch rents are up 8.1% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,650/mo

Year-over-Year

+8.1%

Month-over-Month

+1.6%

vs US Median

+$685

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Highlands Ranch · $2,650

More expensive than 83% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

50/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Highlands Ranch's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent

$2,650/mo

Expected by trend

$2,645/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,170

1 BR

$2,370

2 BR

$2,833

3 BR

$3,700

4 BR+

$4,140

Research median

$2,833/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

$31,800/yr

At $2,650/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 8.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+8.1% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Highlands Ranch, CO is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 67.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

102,257

Median income

$159,307

Median age

41.5

Renters

21.9%

Age distribution

24%

17.5%

30.8%

13.1%

14.7%

Under 1824%

18–3417.5%

35–5430.8%

55–6413.1%

65+14.7%

Gender

50.7%

49.3%

Male50.7%

Female49.3%

Race & ethnicity

81.6%

White81.6%

Black0.9%

Hispanic9.6%

Asian6.2%

Other1.8%

Education (25+)

22%

67.8%

No HS diploma1.1%

HS diploma9.1%

Some college22%

Bachelor's+67.8%

Housing tenure

78.1%

21.9%

Owner78.1%

Renter21.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Highlands Ranch, CO has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,038 → $2,650

up 30.0%

Income

$134,041 → $159,307

up 18.8%

Population

103,238 → 102,257

down 1.0%

Renter share

20.3% → 21.9%

+1.6 pts

Bachelor's+

64.8% → 67.8%

+3.0 pts

Median age

40.3 → 41.5

+1.2 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Highlands Ranch, CO has increased from $2,038 to $2,650, a 30.0% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $159,307 today, compared with $134,041 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.0% since 2021, moving from about 103,238 residents to roughly 102,257. Renters now make up 21.9% of households, compared with 20.3% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 67.8% of adults here, versus 64.8% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Highlands Ranch

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View Highlands Ranch rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Highlands Ranch on your salary?

At $2,650/mo, how Highlands Ranch rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $99,204/yr · Rent = 32.1% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $70,434/yr · Rent = 45.1% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $81,134/yr · Rent = 39.2% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $145,016/yr · Rent = 21.9% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $185,294/yr · Rent = 17.2% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $65,951/yr · Rent = 48.2% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $59,546/yr · Rent = 53.4% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $73,395/yr · Rent = 43.3% income

rent-burdened

By apartment size

Highlands Ranch rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Highlands Ranch

About renting in Highlands Ranch, CO

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Highlands Ranch is $2,650/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,170/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,833/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,370/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,700/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($159,307/yr), Highlands Ranch ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Highlands Ranch an affordable city for renters?

Highlands Ranch is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,650/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($159,307/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Highlands Ranch falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Highlands Ranch?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $106,000/year (~$51/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,650/mo in Highlands Ranch. The local median household income is $159,307/yr, meaning the typical Highlands Ranch household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Highlands Ranch?

Rent in Highlands Ranch has increased 8.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Highlands Ranch neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Highlands Ranch are 80129 ($2,312/mo), 80130 ($2,735/mo), and 80126 ($2,968/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Highlands Ranch is $2,650/mo.

How does Highlands Ranch rent compare to other cities in Colorado?

Highlands Ranch is one of the pricier cities in Colorado for rent, ranking #9 out of 66 tracked cities at $2,650/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Highlands Ranch?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Highlands Ranch ($2,650/mo): Englewood ($1,873/mo), Lone Tree ($2,011/mo), Littleton ($2,065/mo).

What percentage of Highlands Ranch residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 21.9% of Highlands Ranch households are renters, while 78.1% are owner-occupied. Highlands Ranch leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Highlands Ranch rent compare to the national average?

Highlands Ranch's median rent of $2,650/mo is $685 (35%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Colorado, it ranks #9 out of 66 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

20%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,650/mo, rent takes ~20% of Highlands Ranch's median household income ($159,307/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Highlands Ranch 20%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.4%

Run the Highlands Ranch affordability calculator →

Nearby cities