Boulder, CO Rental Market Trends
Last updated: February 20, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Boulder is $2,441, a 1.89% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,488.
Studio Apartments at $1,633 offer the most budget-friendly option with 459 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 680 square feet for $1,948, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $2,614 offer 979 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,233 sq ft) for $3,615, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Boulder, CO
Last updated: February 20, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,441 | 833 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,633 | 459 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,948 | 680 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $2,614 | 979 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,615 | 1,233 sq. ft. |
Boulder, CO rent trends
Rental prices in Boulder, CO have decreased by 1.89% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,488 to $2,441.
What's the typical rent budget in Boulder, CO?
The largest share of rentals in Boulder, CO (31%) fall between $1,501-$2,000 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Boulder, CO?
22,844 or 52% of the households in Boulder, CO are renter-occupied while 20,981 or 48% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Boulder?
Fraiser Meadows $1,531/month
Tantra Park $1,871/month
Gunbarrel - Twin Lake $2,001/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $2,441/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Boulder?
Transit Village $2,690/month
East Ridge $2,730/month
University Heights $3,617/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Boulder, CO By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| University Heights | $3,617 |
| East Ridge | $2,730 |
| Transit Village | $2,690 |
| East Foothills | $2,608 |
| Martin Acres | $2,409 |
| Orchard Grove | $2,386 |
| Holiday | $2,358 |
| University Hill | $2,247 |
| Whittier | $2,219 |
| Gunbarrel - Twin Lake | $2,001 |
| Tantra Park | $1,871 |
| Fraiser Meadows | $1,531 |
/
/
Boulder | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in East Foothills is 4% lower than in East Ridge
$2,608
East Foothills rent is 7% higher than Boulder average
Average Rent
$2,608
$2,730
East Ridge rent is 12% higher than Boulder average
Average Rent
$2,730
How Boulder Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Boulder | $2,441 |
| Denver | $1,889 |
| Colorado Springs | $1,491 |
| Aurora | $1,642 |
| Lakewood | $1,800 |
| Fort Collins | $1,947 |
| Littleton | $2,013 |
| Englewood | $1,890 |
| Broomfield | $1,951 |
| Westminster | $1,813 |
| Castle Rock | $1,985 |
| Thornton | $1,794 |
| Longmont, CO | $1,829 |
| Arvada | $1,822 |
| Loveland | $1,798 |
| Northglenn | $1,704 |
| Glendale, CO | $1,621 |
| Golden, CO | $2,181 |
| Wheat Ridge, CO | $1,680 |
| Brighton, CO | $1,888 |
| Commerce City | $1,823 |
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.