salaryRent is higher than in 77% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 10.3 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 14.4 minutes. It is a highly educated city: 69.6% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $88,240 a year. That is $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Colorado cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Colorado. It is number 68 of 112 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Aspen?
Share of households by yearly income. 32.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Aspen
| Size | Aspen | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,286 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,339 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,928 | $1,509 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Aspen overall?
Everyday prices in Colorado overall are 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Aspen, so the Colorado figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Aspen
Life in Aspen
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Aspen?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,483 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $819,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $81,990 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Aspen, CO?
Renting in Aspen costs a median of about $2,206 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Colorado median is $2,080.
How much do I need to make to live in Aspen?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $88,240 a year, or $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Aspen cheap or expensive?
Aspen is rated Expensive: rent takes 33.2% of the typical household income of $79,845. It ranks 68th cheapest of 112 Colorado cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Aspen?
The median homeowner in Aspen pays $3,870 a year in property taxes, about 0.47% of the median home value.
Is Aspen more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Colorado are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Aspen?
The median home value in Aspen is $819,900, about 10.3 times the typical yearly household income.
6,756 people live in Aspen. Numbers are typical (middle) values.