Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Aspen, CO?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 307.3% of gross income.

Aspen rent: April 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado state estimate).

Aspen median rent
$18,041/mo
Plumber salary (Colorado)
$70,455/yr
Rent as % of income
307.3%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,871, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,761/mo in rent. Aspen's median rent of $18,041 exceeds that threshold by $16,280/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 532.6 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a plumber salary

Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Colorado cities have lower median rent than Aspen, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

Basalt, CO
$5,900/mo (100.5% of income)
Vail, CO
$5,250/mo (89.4% of income)
Basalt, CO
$5,050/mo (86% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Aspen

View full rent data for Aspen, CO

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Aspen, CO?

Median rent in Aspen is $18,041 a month. A typical plumber in Colorado earns about $70,455 a year, which makes that rent 307.3% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a plumber afford in Aspen?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Colorado (~$70,455/yr) supports up to $1,761 a month in rent. Aspen's current median rent is $18,041/mo, which is $16,280/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Aspen?

At an hourly equivalent of about $34 an hour, a plumber in Colorado works roughly 532.6 hours a month to cover Aspen's median rent of $18,041.

Where is rent cheaper than Aspen for a plumber?

Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Basalt ($5,900/mo), Vail ($5,250/mo), Basalt ($5,050/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Colorado state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Aspen, CO. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.