Colorado · HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Rent in Boulder County, CO

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a benchmark 2-bedroom home in Boulder County, CO is $2,124 per month ($25,488/year). Under the standard 30% federal housing rule, affording this rent comfortably requires an hourly wage of $40.85/hour ($84,960/year) for a full-time worker, representing 24.5% of the local median household income.

Rental Benchmark Overview

2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent

$2,124$25,488 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026
Studio FMR$1,553$30/hr needed
1-Bedroom FMR$1,795$35/hr needed
Housing Wage (2-BR)$40.85per hour · 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks
3-Bedroom FMR$2,820$54/hr needed

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Boulder County, CO

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$2,124Monthly market rent
Share of gross income24.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$84,960To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,600At 30% of $103,994
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
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Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Boulder County, CO

Calculations assume standard housing affordability guidelines where shelter costs consume no more than 30% of gross income, based on full-time employment of 2,080 annual working hours.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule and Income Thresholds for Boulder County, CO
Bedroom TypeMonthly RentAnnual RentMin. Annual IncomeHourly Wage (40h/wk)
Studio / Efficiency$1,553$18,636$62,120$29.87/hr
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,795$21,540$71,800$34.52/hr
2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark$2,124$25,488$84,960$40.85/hr
3-Bedroom Home$2,820$33,840$112,800$54.23/hr
4-Bedroom Home$3,239$38,868$129,560$62.29/hr

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Boulder County, CO

What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Boulder County, CO?

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Boulder County, CO is $2,124 per month ($25,488 per year).

What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Boulder County, CO?

To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $2,124/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $40.85 per hour ($84,960/year).

What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Boulder County, CO?

Official 2026 HUD rents in Boulder County, CO are: Studio: $1,553/mo, 1-Bedroom: $1,795/mo, 2-Bedroom: $2,124/mo, 3-Bedroom: $2,820/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $3,239/mo.

How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Boulder County, CO?

At the local Census ACS median household income of $103,994/year ($8,666/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 24.5% of monthly income.

How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Boulder County, CO?

The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $2,124/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($2,124 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $84,960 per year.