How many renters in Boulder, CO pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Boulder, CO, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

66.1% (±3.0 points) of renting households in Boulder, CO spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

58.4% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 44.1% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 66.1% (±3.0 points)
Paying 35% or more: 58.4% (±2.5 points)
Median share of income: 44.1% (±2.9 points)

Rent as a share of income in Boulder

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Boulder	Boulder County	Colorado	United States
Less than 15%	7.7% (±1.3 points)	9.1%	9.7%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	9.2% (±1.4 points)	10.6%	11.3%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	7.9% (±1.5 points)	10.0%	13.0%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	9.1% (±1.7 points)	10.4%	13.1%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	7.7% (±1.6 points)	9.9%	10.1%	9.2%
35% or more	58.4% (±2.5 points)	50.0%	42.7%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Boulder against Boulder County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Boulder	Boulder County	Colorado	United States
Paying 30% or more	66.1% (±3.0 points)	59.9% (±2.1 points)	52.8% (±0.5 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	58.4% (±2.5 points)	50.0% (±1.8 points)	42.7% (±0.4 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	44.1% (±2.9 points)	35.0% (±1.1 points)	31.4% (±0.2 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$48,546 (±$5,736)	$63,666 (±$1,864)	$63,537 (±$555)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$2,018 (±$65)	$1,966 (±$30)	$1,761 (±$7)	$1,413

In Boulder, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is higher than in Boulder County (59.9%).

It is also higher than in Colorado (52.8%).

It is higher than the national figure (51.1%).

In Boulder County, Boulder ranks 4 of 11 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 68 of 333.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Boulder

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Boulder
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Boulder	—	66.1% (±3.0 points)	—
Gunbarrel	5.0 mi	44.6% (±15.2 points)	Lower
Louisville	6.9 mi	47.1% (±8.9 points)	Lower
Niwot	7.0 mi	71.1% (±30.8 points)	Not measurably different
Superior	8.1 mi	34.8% (±10.4 points)	Lower
Lafayette	8.3 mi	54.4% (±10.3 points)	Lower
Jamestown	10 mi	73.7% (±87.4 points)	Not measurably different
Coal Creek (community)	10 mi	0.0% (±57.3 points)	Lower
Erie	11 mi	38.5% (±12.9 points)	Lower

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Gunbarrel, CO (44.6%), Louisville, CO (47.1%), Superior, CO (34.8%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Renters paying 30% or more of income across Boulder County, place by place

Rank	Place	Renters paying 30% or more of income
1	Ward	100.0% (±141.4 points)
2	Jamestown	73.7% (±87.4 points)
3	Niwot	71.1% (±30.8 points)
4	Boulder	66.1% (±3.0 points)
5	Longmont	60.7% (±4.4 points)
6	Lafayette	54.4% (±10.3 points)
7	Lyons	52.9% (±35.0 points)
8	Louisville	47.1% (±8.9 points)
9	Gunbarrel	44.6% (±15.2 points)
10	Superior	34.8% (±10.4 points)

Showing 10 of 11 places in Boulder County, ranked from highest to lowest.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Boulder

Are renters in Boulder rent-burdened?

66.1% of renting households in Boulder pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Boulder spend on rent?

The median renting household in Boulder, CO spends 44.1% (±2.9 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Boulder city, Colorado (place:07850, in state:08).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.