Rents are right about where Montrose'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 $1,903 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: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Montrose is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in April 2023.
Rent in Montrose changed +6.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 60 Colorado cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.4%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($70,386) is $1,760 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,630); a 4-bedroom is $1,950.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Montrose. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Montrose, CO is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 33.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Montrose, CO has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Montrose, CO stood at $1,597 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,903, reflecting a 19.2% increase over the period. On the earnings side, the typical household in Montrose, CO now reports about $70,386, up from $54,260 in 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 4.7% since 2021, moving from about 20,098 residents to roughly 21,044. College-educated residents now make up 33.5% of adults here, versus 29.2% in 2021. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Montrose, CO reflects that arc in its own way.
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Can you afford rent in Montrose on your salary?
At $1,903/mo, how Montrose rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Montrose rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Montrose. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Montrose
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Montrose is $1,903/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $880/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,160/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,630/mo.
At 32% of local median household income ($70,386/yr), Montrose ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Montrose?
Is rent going up or down in Montrose?
How does Montrose rent compare to other cities in Colorado?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Montrose?
At $1,903/mo, rent takes ~32% of Montrose's median household income ($70,386/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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