salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 7.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 13.3 minutes. It is a highly educated city: 57.1% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $115,640 a year. That is $56 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 107 of 112 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Estes Park?
Share of households by yearly income. 34.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Estes Park
| Size | Estes Park | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,394 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,912 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,405 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,257 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,532 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Estes Park 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 Estes Park, so the Colorado figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Estes Park
Life in Estes Park
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Estes Park?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,718 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $664,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $66,420 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Estes Park, CO?
Renting in Estes Park costs a median of about $2,891 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Colorado median is $2,080.
How much do I need to make to live in Estes Park?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $115,640 a year, or $56 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Estes Park cheap or expensive?
Estes Park is rated Expensive: rent takes 37.4% of the typical household income of $92,704. It ranks 107th cheapest of 112 Colorado cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Estes Park?
The median homeowner in Estes Park pays $2,546 a year in property taxes, about 0.38% of the median home value.
Is Estes Park 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 Estes Park?
The median home value in Estes Park is $664,200, about 7.2 times the typical yearly household income.
5,844 people live in Estes Park. Numbers are typical (middle) values.