Can A Pharmacist Afford Rent in Boulder, CO?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 21% of gross income.
Boulder rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado state estimate).
About rent and a pharmacist salary
Pharmacist pay covers comfortable rent in nearly every US city. At the national-average pharmacist salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,319 a month in rent — above median rent in all but a handful of high-cost coastal metros.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Colorado cities have lower median rent than Boulder, which improves the affordability math on a pharmacist salary:
Compare with full rent data for Boulder
View full rent data for Boulder, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a pharmacist afford rent in Boulder, CO?
Median rent in Boulder is $2,439 a month. A typical pharmacist in Colorado earns about $139,388 a year, which makes that rent 21% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a pharmacist afford in Boulder?
Using the 30% rule, a pharmacist salary in Colorado (~$139,388/yr) supports up to $3,485 a month in rent. Boulder's current median rent is $2,439/mo, which leaves a $1,046/mo buffer.
How many hours does a pharmacist work to cover rent in Boulder?
At an hourly equivalent of about $67 an hour, a pharmacist in Colorado works roughly 36.4 hours a month to cover Boulder's median rent of $2,439.
Where is rent cheaper than Boulder for a pharmacist?
Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Highlands Ranch ($2,435/mo), Highlands Ranch ($2,430/mo), Steamboat Springs ($2,429/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a pharmacist salary.