Cost of Living in Pitkin County, Colorado
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Pitkin County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Pitkin County ranks #3,101 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 1%)
Sourced county brief
Pitkin County Median Home Value Exceeds One Million Dollars
The median home value in Pitkin County was estimated at $1,139,100, which is higher than the Colorado unweighted county mean of $427,513. The median gross rent for the area was $2,004 per month, surpassing the state unweighted county mean of $1,303. According to the official ACS B25071 data, the median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 32.2%. This official figure is 2.6 percentage points above the state unweighted county mean of 29.6%. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $2,301, while the state unweighted county mean was $1,272. The median income for renter households was $65,531. These statistics represent a static measurement of the county's housing landscape during the five-year survey period. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Pitkin County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 32.2% of renter household income in Pitkin County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $2,004 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $2,301. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $80,160 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Colorado unweighted mean of county median rents is $1,303 per month. Pitkin County's $2,004 median is 53.9% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Pitkin County
Rent Burden
23.4%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,395
per month
Owner Cost Burden
26.9%
of gross income
The median home in Pitkin County may be a stretch
Median home value is $1,139,100. Estimated monthly cost: $9,094 vs. your max of $2,395.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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