Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Leadville?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Leadville, you need to earn at least $78,520/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $80,100, which means the typical resident is $1,580 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 2,622

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,374	$4,580	$54,960	$-25,140
1 Bedroom	$1,629	$5,430	$65,160	$-14,940
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,963	$6,543	$78,520	$-1,580
3 Bedroom	$2,395	$7,983	$95,800	+$15,700
4 Bedroom	$2,945	$9,817	$117,800	+$37,700

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$80,100

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$78,520

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$1,580

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 29.4%

The 30% Rule Calculator

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

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Leadville's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$2,003

Studio

$1,374/mo

1 BR

$1,629/mo

2 BR

$1,963/mo

3 BR

$2,395/mo

4 BR

$2,945/mo

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

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Leadville

Leadville is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $1,580. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,629/month) or studio ($1,374/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Leadville pushes the required income to $95,800.

For comfortable living in Leadville without financial stress, target a household income of at least $117,780 — 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 Leadville, Colorado.

With a total population of 2,622, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 1,902 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $78,520 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

1,902

Active civilian employees in Leadville

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Leadville

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

To afford a 2-bedroom in Leadville under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $78,520. The median household income in Leadville is $80,100.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Leadville on $80,100?

The affordability verdict for Leadville is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 29.4%, meaning median earners have a $1,580 surplus.

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

The median gross rent in Leadville is $1,629/month. With a median household income of $80,100, residents spend approximately 29.4% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Leadville?

A studio in Leadville rents for approximately $1,374/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $54,960 to afford this.

Is Leadville considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $1,580 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Leadville is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $78,520 to the local median household income.

How Leadville Compares

Other cities in Colorado with salary requirements