Colorado · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Rio Blanco County, CO

Prices around Rio Blanco County, CO run 3.1% above the U.S. average (BEA, Colorado). The typical household there earns $65,473 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,009 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $40,360 a year.

Rio Blanco County, CO at a glance

Median household income

$65,473$5,456 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,009HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)103.1+3.1% · BEA, Colorado
Electricity17.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential CO
Population6,544Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Rio Blanco 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$1,009Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$40,360To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,637At 30% of $65,473
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Rio Blanco County, CO? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Rio Blanco County, CO, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Rio Blanco County, CO, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$764$9,168$30,56014%
1-Bedroom Apartment$769$9,228$30,76014.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,009$12,108$40,36018.5%
3-Bedroom Home$1,285$15,420$51,40023.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,582$18,984$63,28029%

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

What a typical income covers in Rio Blanco County, CO

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $65,473 a year ($5,456 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,728/moRent ($1,009 2-BR), utilities (~$154/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,637/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,091/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $65,473 leaves after Colorado taxes

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

$65,473
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$65,473
Net 80%
Fed 9%
CO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$52,615After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,385Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,024Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,677 / yr
Colorado state income tax$2,172 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,009 / yr

Living in Rio Blanco County, CO: common questions

What is the median household income in Rio Blanco County, CO?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Rio Blanco County, CO is $65,473 per year (approximately $5,456 per month).

What is the average rent in Rio Blanco County, CO?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $764 for a studio, $769 for one bedroom, $1,009 for two, $1,285 for three and $1,582 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 Rio Blanco County, CO expensive to live in?

Prices there run 3.1% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for Colorado is 103.1, 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 Rio Blanco County, CO?

To keep a $1,009 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $40,360 a year, or $3,363 a month. That is 62% of what the typical household in Rio Blanco County, CO earns.

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

On the local median income of $65,473 ($5,456 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,728 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,637 for everything else and $1,091 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,009 takes 37% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Rio Blanco 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.