Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Merino?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Merino, you need to earn at least $52,200/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $55,000, which means the typical resident is $2,800 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 269

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$913	$3,043	$36,520	$-18,480
1 Bedroom	$1,083	$3,610	$43,320	$-11,680
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,305	$4,350	$52,200	$-2,800
3 Bedroom	$1,592	$5,307	$63,680	+$8,680
4 Bedroom	$1,958	$6,527	$78,320	+$23,320

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$55,000

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$52,200

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$2,800

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 28.5%

The 30% Rule Calculator

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

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Merino's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,375

Studio

$913/mo

1 BR

$1,083/mo

2 BR

$1,305/mo

3 BR

$1,592/mo

4 BR

$1,958/mo

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

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Merino

Merino is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $2,800. 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 ($1,083/month) or studio ($913/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Merino pushes the required income to $63,680.

For comfortable living in Merino without financial stress, target a household income of at least $78,300 — 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 Merino, Colorado.

With a total population of 269, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 167 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $52,200 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

167

Active civilian employees in Merino

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Merino

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

To afford a 2-bedroom in Merino under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $52,200. The median household income in Merino is $55,000.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Merino on $55,000?

The affordability verdict for Merino is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 28.5%, meaning median earners have a $2,800 surplus.

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

The median gross rent in Merino is $1,083/month. With a median household income of $55,000, residents spend approximately 28.5% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Merino?

A studio in Merino rents for approximately $913/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $36,520 to afford this.

Is Merino considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $2,800 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Merino is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $52,200 to the local median household income.

How Merino Compares

Other cities in Colorado with salary requirements