Rent in Boulder, CO at a glance
2-bedroom rent (HUD)
$2,124$25,488 a year · HUD fiscal year 2026From October 1, 2026: $2,033 (−4.3%)How much rent can you afford in Boulder, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.
Rent in Boulder, CO by bedroom, and the pay it takes
Income needed keeps rent at 30% of gross pay; the hourly figure assumes one full-time job, 2,080 hours a year.
| Size | A month | A year | Income needed | Hourly wage needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,553 | $18,636 | $62,120 | $29.87/hr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,795 | $21,540 | $71,800 | $34.52/hr |
| 2 bedroomsMost searched | $2,124 | $25,488 | $84,960 | $40.85/hr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,820 | $33,840 | $112,800 | $54.23/hr |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,239 | $38,868 | $129,560 | $62.29/hr |
Cost of living in Boulder, CO: income, prices and a budget →
Living and working in Boulder, CO
Rent in Boulder, CO: common questions
How much is rent going down in Boulder, CO in 2027?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for fiscal 2027, which takes effect October 1, 2026, is $2,033 for a two-bedroom, down 4.3% from $2,124. A one-bedroom goes from $1,795 to $1,735, a studio from $1,553 to $1,520.
These are HUD's estimates of what a typical recently rented unit costs, used for housing vouchers. A landlord's increase on your lease follows your lease and your state's rules, not this figure.
What is the average rent in Boulder, CO?
HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026 is $1,795 for a one-bedroom and $2,124 for a two-bedroom, utilities included. That is $25,488 a year for the two-bedroom.
It is not an average of current listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so asking rents on newer places usually run higher.
How much do you need to make to afford rent in Boulder, CO?
To keep a $2,124 two-bedroom at 30% of gross pay, one full-time worker needs $40.85 an hour, or $84,960 a year. A one-bedroom at $1,795 takes $34.52 an hour.
How much is a 1, 2 or 3-bedroom apartment in Boulder, CO?
At HUD's 2026 Fair Market Rent: studio $1,553, one bedroom $1,795, two $2,124, three $2,820 and four $3,239 a month.
Is rent affordable in Boulder, CO?
For the typical household, earning $87,493 a year ($7,291 a month, Census ACS), a two-bedroom at $2,124 takes 29.1% of income. Under 30% is the usual line for affordable; this is under it.
How is the income needed for rent worked out?
Rent for a year divided by 0.30, the share of gross income HUD treats as affordable: ($2,124 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $84,960. Divided by 2,080 working hours, that is $40.85 an hour.