Boulder, CO Rental Market Trends
Last updated: September 30, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Boulder is $2,557, a 1.14% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,586.
Studio Apartments at $1,677 offer the most budget-friendly option with 462 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 696 square feet for $2,029, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-bedroom units at $2,685 offer 1,006 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,271 sq ft) for $3,737, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Boulder, CO
Last updated: September 30, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,557 | 858 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,677 | 462 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,029 | 696 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $2,685 | 1,006 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,737 | 1,271 sq. ft. |
Boulder, CO rent trends
Rental prices in Boulder, CO have decreased by 1.14% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,586 to $2,557.
What's the typical rent budget in Boulder, CO?
The largest share of rentals in Boulder, CO (27%) fall between $2,001-$2,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Boulder, CO?
23,455 or 53% of the households in Boulder, CO are renter-occupied while 20,977 or 47% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Boulder?
Fraiser Meadows $1,607/month
Whittier $2,008/month
Gunbarrel - Twin Lake $2,020/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $2,557/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Boulder?
Martin Acres $2,467/month
Transit Village $2,776/month
East Ridge $3,746/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Boulder, CO By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| East Ridge | $3,746 |
| Transit Village | $2,776 |
| Martin Acres | $2,467 |
| Holiday | $2,362 |
| University Hill | $2,309 |
| Orchard Grove | $2,243 |
| Tantra Park | $2,177 |
| Gunbarrel - Twin Lake | $2,020 |
| Whittier | $2,008 |
| Fraiser Meadows | $1,607 |
/
Boulder | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in East Ridge is 133% higher than in Fraiser Meadows
$3,746
East Ridge rent is 46% higher than Boulder average
Average Rent
$3,746
$1,607
Fraiser Meadows rent is 37% lower than Boulder average
Average Rent
$1,607
How Boulder Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Boulder | $2,557 |
| Denver | $1,914 |
| Colorado Springs | $1,535 |
| Lakewood | $1,793 |
| Aurora | $1,657 |
| Fort Collins | $2,054 |
| Littleton | $2,065 |
| Englewood | $1,904 |
| Loveland | $1,924 |
| Arvada | $1,847 |
| Wheat Ridge | $1,752 |
| Longmont, CO | $1,952 |
| Westminster | $1,854 |
| Broomfield | $1,995 |
| Golden | $2,216 |
| Thornton | $1,782 |
| Commerce City, CO | $1,887 |
| Brighton, CO | $1,987 |
| Glendale, CO | $1,594 |
| Northglenn, CO | $1,637 |
| Lafayette, CO | $2,095 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Boulder apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.