Rents are 11% below what Thornton's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,904 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
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Thornton, CO is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 32.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Thornton, CO has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Thornton, CO paid around $1,598 a month. That figure now sits near $1,904, up 19.1% from the 2021 baseline. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $86,818 in 2021 to $103,088 more recently. Census counts show Thornton, CO adding about 3,649 residents over the five-year window, up 2.6% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 29.4% to 32.8% across the same window. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Thornton, CO market of 2021.
Discussions about Thornton
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Thornton on your salary?
At $1,904/mo, how Thornton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Thornton rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Thornton. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Thornton
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Thornton is $1,904/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,878/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,453/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,048/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,203/mo.
At 22% of local median household income ($103,088/yr), Thornton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thornton an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Thornton?
Is rent going up or down in Thornton?
Which Thornton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Thornton rent compare to other cities in Colorado?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Thornton?
What percentage of Thornton residents rent vs. own?
How does Thornton rent compare to the national average?
At $1,904/mo, rent takes ~22% of Thornton's median household income ($103,088/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Thornton.
No discussions yet.
