Rents are right about where Highlands Ranch's 10-year trend predicts.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,635 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Highlands Ranch, CO has changed in 5 years
Since 2021, the typical rent in Highlands Ranch, CO has increased from $2,038 to $2,635, a 29.3% 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.
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Can you afford rent in Highlands Ranch on your salary?
At $2,635/mo, how Highlands Ranch rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Highlands Ranch rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Highlands Ranch. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Highlands Ranch
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Highlands Ranch is $2,635/mo as of August 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 8.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Highlands Ranch an affordable city for renters?
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What percentage of Highlands Ranch residents rent vs. own?
How does Highlands Ranch rent compare to the national average?
At $2,635/mo, rent takes ~20% of Highlands Ranch's median household income ($159,307/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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