salaryRent is higher than in 78% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.9 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. It is a highly educated city: 59.1% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $89,880 a year. That is $43 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 72 of 112 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Golden?
Share of households by yearly income. 41.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Golden
| Size | Golden | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,322 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,835 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,024 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,190 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,902 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Golden 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 Golden, so the Colorado figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Golden
Life in Golden
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Golden?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,565 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $837,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $83,770 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Golden, CO?
Renting in Golden costs a median of about $2,247 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Colorado median is $2,080.
How much do I need to make to live in Golden?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $89,880 a year, or $43 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Golden cheap or expensive?
Golden is rated OK: rent takes 25.4% of the typical household income of $106,321. It ranks 72nd cheapest of 112 Colorado cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Golden?
The median homeowner in Golden pays $3,811 a year in property taxes, about 0.45% of the median home value.
Is Golden 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 Golden?
The median home value in Golden is $837,700, about 7.9 times the typical yearly household income.
20,417 people live in Golden. Numbers are typical (middle) values.