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

Stretched but workable — rent takes 40% of gross income.

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

Golden median rent
$2,295/mo
Real Estate Agent salary (Colorado)
$68,859/yr
Rent as % of income
40%
Gross monthly income works out to about $5,738, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,721/mo in rent. Golden's median rent of $2,295 exceeds that threshold by $574/mo, putting a real estate agent salary into the rent-burdened range here. A real estate agent works roughly 69.3 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 Golden, which improves the affordability math on a real estate agent salary:

Security-Widefield, CO
$2,287/mo (39.9% of income)
Louisville, CO
$2,285/mo (39.8% of income)
Lafayette, CO
$2,283/mo (39.8% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Golden

View full rent data for Golden, CO

Frequently asked questions

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

Median rent in Golden is $2,295 a month. A typical real estate agent in Colorado earns about $68,859 a year, which makes that rent 40% 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 Golden?

Using the 30% rule, a real estate agent salary in Colorado (~$68,859/yr) supports up to $1,721 a month in rent. Golden's current median rent is $2,295/mo, which is $574/mo over the affordability threshold.

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

At an hourly equivalent of about $33 an hour, a real estate agent in Colorado works roughly 69.3 hours a month to cover Golden's median rent of $2,295.

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

Nearby Colorado cities with lower median rent include Security-Widefield ($2,287/mo), Louisville ($2,285/mo), Lafayette ($2,283/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 Golden, CO. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.