ZIP Code · CO

ZIP 81520

Part of Clifton, CO

Pop. 12,892·Mesa County·157th most expensive ZIP in Colorado

Median rent (all units)

$1,385/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.0%

Month-over-Month

+1.2%

vs US Median

-$547

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 81520 · $1,385

More affordable than 81% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$830

1 BR

$920

2 BR

$1,170

3 BR

$1,630

4 BR+

$1,960

Research median

$1,170/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Colorado

Rent in ZIP 81520 changed +3.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 155 Colorado ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.3%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($50,283) is $1,257 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,170); a 3-bedroom is $1,630.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 81520. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$16,620/yr

At $1,385/mo median

Location

CityClifton

StateCO

CountyMesa County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.0% YoY, +1.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 81520 (Clifton, CO) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 14% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

12,892

Median income

$50,283

Median age

38.4

Renters

32.7%

Age distribution

21.9%

20.9%

27%

13%

17.1%

Under 1821.9%

18–3420.9%

35–5427%

55–6413%

65+17.1%

Gender

49%

51%

Male49%

Female51%

Race & ethnicity

80.5%

21.2%

White80.5%

Black0.7%

Hispanic21.2%

Asian0.7%

Education (25+)

17.3%

34%

34.7%

14%

No HS diploma17.3%

HS diploma34%

Some college34.7%

Bachelor's+14%

Housing tenure

67.3%

32.7%

Owner67.3%

Renter32.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 81520 in Clifton, CO has changed in 5 years

Income

$49,677 → $50,283

up 1.2%

Population

14,023 → 12,892

down 8.1%

Renter share

37.8% → 32.7%

-5.1 pts

Bachelor's+

12.8% → 14%

+1.2 pts

Median age

33.2 → 38.4

+5.2 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $50,283 today, compared with $49,677 five years earlier. Census counts show ZIP 81520 in Clifton, CO losing about 1,131 residents over the five-year window, down 8.1% on net. The renter share has eased from 37.8% to 32.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 81520

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 81520 covers Clifton, CO. The median rent here is $1,385/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $920/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,170/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($50,283/yr), ZIP 81520 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 81520?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (about $26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,385/mo in ZIP 81520. The local median household income is $50,283/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 81520?

Rent in ZIP 81520 has risen 3.0% over the past year.

How does ZIP 81520 compare to other ZIPs in Colorado?

ZIP 81520 is one of the more affordable among Colorado ZIP codes for rent, ranking #157 of 168 at $1,385/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 81520 changed +3.1%, against a typical +1.3% across the 155 Colorado ZIP codes Zillow tracks.