Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Denver?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Denver, you need to earn at least $80,240/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $85,853, which means the typical resident is $5,613 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 710,800

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,404	$4,680	$56,160	$-29,693
1 Bedroom	$1,665	$5,550	$66,600	$-19,253
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$2,006	$6,687	$80,240	$-5,613
3 Bedroom	$2,447	$8,157	$97,880	+$12,027
4 Bedroom	$3,009	$10,030	$120,360	+$34,507

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Denver's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$85,853

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$80,240

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$5,613

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 28.0%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Denver

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Denver's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$2,146

Studio

$1,404/mo

1 BR

$1,665/mo

2 BR

$2,006/mo

3 BR

$2,447/mo

4 BR

$3,009/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Denver.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Denver's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Denver

Renting in Denver, Colorado is doable for median earners, but tight. A 2-bedroom requires roughly $80,240/year under the 30% rule, and with a median income of $85,853, residents are operating close to the threshold.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,665/month) or studio ($1,404/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Denver pushes the required income to $97,880.

For comfortable living in Denver without financial stress, target a household income of at least $120,360 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Colorado's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Denver, Colorado.

With a total population of 710,800, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 416,271 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $80,240 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

416,271

Active civilian employees in Denver

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Denver

What salary do I need to live in Denver, Colorado?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Denver under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $80,240. The median household income in Denver is $85,853.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Denver on $85,853?

The affordability verdict for Denver is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 28.0%, meaning median earners have a $5,613 surplus.

What is the average rent in Denver compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Denver is $1,665/month. With a median household income of $85,853, residents spend approximately 28.0% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Denver?

A studio in Denver rents for approximately $1,404/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $56,160 to afford this.

Is Denver considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $5,613 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Denver is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $80,240 to the local median household income.

How Denver Compares

Other cities in Colorado with salary requirements