Boulder, CO Rental Market Trends
Last updated: May 12, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Boulder is $2,452, a 1.76% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,496.
Studio Apartments at $1,637 offer the most budget-friendly option with 459 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 681 square feet for $1,945, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $2,612 offer 978 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,232 sq ft) for $3,684, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Boulder, CO
Last updated: May 12, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,452 | 834 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,637 | 459 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,945 | 681 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $2,612 | 978 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,684 | 1,232 sq. ft. |
Boulder, CO rent trends
Rental prices in Boulder, CO have decreased by 1.76% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,496 to $2,452.
What's the typical rent budget in Boulder, CO?
The largest share of rentals in Boulder, CO (35%) 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 $1,560/month
Gunbarrel - Twin Lake $1,983/month
Whittier $2,219/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $2,452/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Boulder?
East Foothills $2,481/month
Transit Village $2,594/month
East Ridge $2,859/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 | $2,859 |
| Transit Village | $2,594 |
| East Foothills | $2,481 |
| Martin Acres | $2,452 |
| Orchard Grove | $2,298 |
| University Hill | $2,280 |
| Whittier | $2,219 |
| Gunbarrel - Twin Lake | $1,983 |
| Fraiser Meadows | $1,560 |
/
Boulder | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in East Foothills is 13% lower than in East Ridge
$2,481
East Foothills rent is 1% higher than Boulder average
Average Rent
$2,481
$2,859
East Ridge rent is 17% higher than Boulder average
Average Rent
$2,859
How Boulder Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Boulder | $2,452 |
| Denver | $1,887 |
| Colorado Springs | $1,517 |
| Aurora | $1,641 |
| Lakewood | $1,791 |
| Fort Collins | $1,969 |
| Littleton | $1,991 |
| Englewood | $1,866 |
| Broomfield | $1,951 |
| Westminster | $1,808 |
| Castle Rock | $1,972 |
| Longmont, CO | $1,840 |
| Thornton | $1,778 |
| Arvada | $1,808 |
| Golden | $2,189 |
| Glendale, CO | $1,625 |
| Loveland, CO | $1,811 |
| Northglenn, CO | $1,654 |
| Brighton | $1,936 |
| Wheat Ridge, CO | $1,678 |
| Commerce City | $1,867 |
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.