Denver, CO at a glance
Median household income
$94,718$7,893 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearHow much rent can you afford in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
How much is rent in Denver, CO? By bedroom, 2026
HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,643 | $19,716 | $65,720 | 20.8% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,754 | $21,048 | $70,160 | 22.2% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $2,089 | $25,068 | $83,560 | 26.5% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,734 | $32,808 | $109,360 | 34.6% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $3,049 | $36,588 | $121,960 | 38.6% |
What a typical income covers in Denver, CO
The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $94,718 a year ($7,893 a month before tax).
What $94,718 leaves after Colorado taxes
Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Colorado tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.
Rent, jobs and pay in Colorado
Living in Denver, CO: common questions
What is the median household income in Denver, CO?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Denver, CO is $94,718 per year (approximately $7,893 per month).
What is the average rent in Denver, CO?
The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,643 for a studio, $1,754 for one bedroom, $2,089 for two, $2,734 for three and $3,049 for four, utilities included.
It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.
Is Denver, CO expensive to live in?
Prices there run 5.8% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 105.8, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Denver, CO?
To keep a $2,089 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $83,560 a year, or $6,963 a month. That is 88% of what the typical household in Denver, CO earns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Denver, CO?
On the local median income of $94,718 ($7,893 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,947 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,368 for everything else and $1,579 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $2,089 takes 53% of the needs share.
How much is the electric bill in Denver, CO?
Homes in Colorado paid 17.1¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $154. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.