Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Boulder, CO?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 42.5% of gross income.
Boulder rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado state estimate).
About rent and a real estate agent salary
Real estate agent pay is commission-driven and varies widely with local market conditions. The BLS mean averages high and low producers. At the national-average agent salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,640 a month in rent — though successful agents in active markets earn well above this.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Colorado cities have lower median rent than Boulder, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:
Compare with full rent data for Boulder
View full rent data for Boulder, CO →Frequently asked questions
Can a real estate agent afford rent in Boulder, CO?
Median rent in Boulder is $2,439 a month. A typical real estate agent in Colorado earns about $68,859 a year, which makes that rent 42.5% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a real estate agent afford in Boulder?
Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Colorado (~$68,859/yr) supports up to $1,721 a month in rent. Boulder's current median rent is $2,439/mo, which is $718/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Boulder?
At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a real estate agent in Colorado works roughly 73.7 hours a month to cover Boulder's median rent of $2,439.
Where is rent cheaper than Boulder for a real estate agent?
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 real estate agent salary.