ZIP Code · CO

ZIP 81521

Part of Fruita, CO

Pop. 16,613·Mesa County·131st most expensive ZIP in Colorado

Median rent (all units)

$1,664/mo

Year-over-Year

-0.8%

Month-over-Month

-1.3%

vs US Median

-$268

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 81521 · $1,664

More affordable than 61% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,110

1 BR

$1,240

2 BR

$1,570

3 BR

$2,180

4 BR+

$2,630

Research median

$1,570/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 81521 changed -0.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 155 Colorado ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.3%.

Recent direction

Rent has fallen 4 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($88,458) is $2,211 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,180); a 4-bedroom is $2,630.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 81521. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$19,968/yr

At $1,664/mo median

Location

CityFruita

StateCO

CountyMesa County

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 0.8% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-0.8% YoY, -1.3% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 81521 (Fruita, CO) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 34% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

16,613

Median income

$88,458

Median age

43.2

Renters

17.8%

Age distribution

25.9%

14.1%

26.8%

13%

20.2%

Under 1825.9%

18–3414.1%

35–5426.8%

55–6413%

65+20.2%

Gender

47.2%

52.8%

Male47.2%

Female52.8%

Race & ethnicity

87.5%

White87.5%

Black1%

Hispanic9.8%

Other1.4%

Education (25+)

29.7%

32.6%

34%

No HS diploma3.7%

HS diploma29.7%

Some college32.6%

Bachelor's+34%

Housing tenure

82.2%

17.8%

Owner82.2%

Renter17.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 81521 in Fruita, CO has changed in 5 years

Income

$65,823 → $88,458

up 34.4%

Population

15,859 → 16,613

up 4.8%

Renter share

22.8% → 17.8%

-5.0 pts

Bachelor's+

29.7% → 34%

+4.3 pts

Median age

41.6 → 43.2

+1.6 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $65,823 to $88,458 across the same window, up 34.4% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 15,859 to 16,613 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.8% change. About 17.8% of households rent today, against 22.8% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 29.7% to 34%.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 81521

About renting in ZIP 81521

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 81521 covers Fruita, CO. The median rent here is $1,664/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,240/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,570/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($88,458/yr), ZIP 81521 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 81521?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $67,000/year (about $32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,664/mo in ZIP 81521. The local median household income is $88,458/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 81521?

Rent in ZIP 81521 has fallen 0.8% over the past year.

How does ZIP 81521 compare to other ZIPs in Colorado?

ZIP 81521 is one of the more affordable among Colorado ZIP codes for rent, ranking #131 of 168 at $1,664/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 81521 changed -0.8%, against a typical +1.3% across the 155 Colorado ZIP codes Zillow tracks.