Colorado · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Douglas County, CO

Prices around Douglas County, CO run 5.8% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $149,594 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $2,089 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $83,560 a year.

Douglas County, CO at a glance

Median household income

$149,594$12,466 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$2,089HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)105.8+5.8% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity17.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential CO
Population377,150Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Douglas County, CO?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$2,089Monthly market rent
Share of gross income16.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$83,560To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$3,740At 30% of $149,594
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Douglas County, 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.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Douglas County, CO, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,643$19,716$65,72013.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,754$21,048$70,16014.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$2,089$25,068$83,56016.8%
3-Bedroom Home$2,734$32,808$109,36021.9%
4-Bedroom Home$3,049$36,588$121,96024.5%

Rent in Douglas County, CO, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Douglas County, CO

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $149,594 a year ($12,466 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$6,233/moRent ($2,089 2-BR), utilities (~$154/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$3,740/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$2,493/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $149,594 leaves after Colorado taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Colorado tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$149,594
$55,000$300,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$149,594
Net 72%
Fed 16%
CO 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$107,640After all taxes
Monthly deposit$8,970Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$4,140Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate28.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$24,637 / yr
Colorado state income tax$5,874 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$11,444 / yr

Living in Douglas County, CO: common questions

What is the median household income in Douglas County, CO?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Douglas County, CO is $149,594 per year (approximately $12,466 per month).

What is the average rent in Douglas County, 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 Douglas County, 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 Douglas County, 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 56% of what the typical household in Douglas County, CO earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Douglas County, CO?

On the local median income of $149,594 ($12,466 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $6,233 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $3,740 for everything else and $2,493 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $2,089 takes 34% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Douglas County, 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.