Can A Real Estate Agent Afford Rent in Denver, CO?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 32.7% of gross income.

Denver rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Colorado state estimate).

Denver median rent
$1,877/mo
Real Estate Agent salary (Colorado)
$68,859/yr
Rent as % of income
32.7%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,738, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,721/mo in rent. Denver's median rent of $1,877 exceeds that threshold by $156/mo, putting a real estate agent salary into the rent-burdened range here. A real estate agent works roughly 56.7 hours a month to cover that rent.

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 Denver, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:

Thornton, CO
$1,876/mo (32.7% of income)
Longmont, CO
$1,875/mo (32.7% of income)
Thornton, CO
$1,875/mo (32.7% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Denver

View full rent data for Denver, CO

Frequently asked questions

Can a real estate agent afford rent in Denver, CO?

Median rent in Denver is $1,877 a month. A typical real estate agent in Colorado earns about $68,859 a year, which makes that rent 32.7% 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 Denver?

Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Colorado (~$68,859/yr) supports up to $1,721 a month in rent. Denver's current median rent is $1,877/mo, which is $156/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a real estate agent work to cover rent in Denver?

At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a real estate agent in Colorado works roughly 56.7 hours a month to cover Denver's median rent of $1,877.

Where is rent cheaper than Denver for a real estate agent?

Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Thornton ($1,876/mo), Longmont ($1,875/mo), Thornton ($1,875/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a real estate agent salary.

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