Unaffordable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Pagosa Springs?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Pagosa Springs, you need to earn at least $46,200/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $32,500, which means the typical resident is $13,700 below the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 1,643

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$809	$2,697	$32,360	$-140
1 Bedroom	$959	$3,197	$38,360	+$5,860
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,155	$3,850	$46,200	+$13,700
3 Bedroom	$1,409	$4,697	$56,360	+$23,860
4 Bedroom	$1,733	$5,777	$69,320	+$36,820

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$32,500

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$46,200

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

-$13,700

Deficit

Verdict

Unaffordable

Ratio: 42.6%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Pagosa Springs

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Pagosa Springs's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$813

Studio

$809/mo

1 BR

$959/mo

2 BR

$1,155/mo

3 BR

$1,409/mo

4 BR

$1,733/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Pagosa Springs.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Pagosa Springs

Renting in Pagosa Springs is unaffordable for most median earners. The $13,700 income gap means a 2-bedroom at $1,155/month requires significant above-median earnings or a dual-income household to be sustainable.

For those committed to Pagosa Springs, the realistic options are: (1) target a studio at $809/month, which requires $32,360/year — closer to the median; (2) find a roommate for a 2-bedroom, cutting individual costs to ~$578/month; or (3) negotiate remote work and live in a more affordable Colorado city.

To live comfortably in Pagosa Springs without financial strain, you realistically need a household income of $69,300 or higher. This isn't just about rent — it accounts for Colorado's overall cost of living including transportation, food, and healthcare.

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 Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

With a total population of 1,643, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 773 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $46,200 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

773

Active civilian employees in Pagosa Springs

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Pagosa Springs

What salary do I need to live in Pagosa Springs, Colorado?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Pagosa Springs under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $46,200. The median household income in Pagosa Springs is $32,500.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Pagosa Springs on $32,500?

The affordability verdict for Pagosa Springs is "Unaffordable". The rent-to-income ratio is 42.6%, meaning there's a $13,700 income gap.

What is the average rent in Pagosa Springs compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Pagosa Springs is $959/month. With a median household income of $32,500, residents spend approximately 42.6% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Pagosa Springs?

A studio in Pagosa Springs rents for approximately $809/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $32,360 to afford this.

Is Pagosa Springs considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the deficit of $13,700 and an affordability verdict of "Unaffordable", Pagosa Springs is considered a unaffordable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $46,200 to the local median household income.

How Pagosa Springs Compares

Other cities in Colorado with salary requirements