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City Report · CO

Vail

Pop. 4,613·1st most expensive in Colorado·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,635/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+0.1%
vs US Median
+$1,670
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Vail · $3,635
More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
44% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,635/mo, rent takes about 44% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$145,000/yr
Local median income
$98,893/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Vail's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,438
1 BR
$1,231
2 BR
$1,669
3 BR
$3,226
Research median
$1,669/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$43,620/yr
At $3,635/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Vail, CO is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 69.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
4,613
Median income
$98,893
Median age
49.8
Renters
38.6%
Age distribution
19%
31%
20.4%
21.6%
Under 188%
18–3419%
35–5431%
55–6420.4%
65+21.6%
Gender
55.2%
44.8%
Male55.2%
Female44.8%
Race & ethnicity
84.2%
12.8%
White84.2%
Hispanic12.8%
Asian0.5%
Other2.4%
Education (25+)
20.3%
69.6%
No HS diploma1.2%
HS diploma8.9%
Some college20.3%
Bachelor's+69.6%
Housing tenure
61.4%
38.6%
Owner61.4%
Renter38.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Vail, CO has changed in 5 years

Income
$100,417 → $98,893
down 1.5%
Population
4,900 → 4,613
down 5.9%
Renter share
24.9% → 38.6%
+13.7 pts
Bachelor's+
66.5% → 69.6%
+3.1 pts

Household income in the area moved from $100,417 to $98,893 across the same window, down 1.5% versus 2021. Census counts show Vail, CO losing about 287 residents over the five-year window, down 5.9% on net. The renter share has risen from 24.9% to 38.6%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 66.5% to 69.6% across the same window.

Community

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View Vail rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Vail on your salary?

At $3,635/mo, how Vail rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Vail rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Vail

About renting in Vail, CO

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Vail is $3,635/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,438/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,669/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,231/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,226/mo.

At 44% of local median household income ($98,893/yr), Vail ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Vail an affordable city for renters?

Vail is considered stretched for renters. At $3,635/mo, rent takes approximately 44% of the local median household income ($98,893/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Vail significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Vail?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $145,000/year (~$70/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,635/mo in Vail. The local median household income is $98,893/yr, meaning the typical Vail household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Vail?

Rent in Vail has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Vail rent compare to other cities in Colorado?

Vail is one of the pricier cities in Colorado for rent, ranking #1 out of 66 tracked cities at $3,635/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Vail?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Vail ($3,635/mo): Eagle ($2,732/mo), Granby ($3,317/mo), Silverthorne ($3,377/mo).

What percentage of Vail residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38.6% of Vail households are renters, while 61.4% are owner-occupied. Vail leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Vail rent compare to the national average?

Vail's median rent of $3,635/mo is $1,670 (85%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Colorado, it ranks #1 out of 66 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
44%
STRETCHED

At $3,635/mo, rent takes ~44% of Vail's median household income ($98,893/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Vail 44%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.4%
Run the Vail affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Vail, CO

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