County FMR · HUD FY2026

El Paso County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for El Paso County, CO - 53% above the US average.

$1,464
1-bedroom FMR
$1,735
2-bedroom FMR
-0.5%
YoY change
+53%
vs US avg

The verdict

El Paso is the 16th most expensive of 64 counties in Colorado by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #252 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties.

#252
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#16
most expensive of 64 in Colorado (2BR)
+26%
vs the state average
$58,560
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (13.1%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (56%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for El Paso County, CO. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in El Paso County, Colorado is $1,464 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,735/mo and a studio is $1,196/mo. This is 53% higher than the national average of $959 and 26% above the Colorado average of $1,161.

Rent decreased0.5% from FY 2025 ($1,472), roughly tracking inflation. Clearing the 30% rule here takes $58,560/year, a high bar relative to most US counties.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Colorado. Population: 730,323. Population grew 7.0% over the past five years (Census ACS) - among the faster-growing counties nationally, a trend that typically adds upward pressure on rents. That's faster than Colorado's statewide growth of +5.1% over the same period.

What these rents mean for El Paso County

HUD publishes one FMR schedule per FMR area (often the county). Local housing authorities use it as the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment-standard baseline. See how FMR is calculated.

According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, El Paso County's 2-bedroom of $1,735 ranks #252 most expensive of 3,145 US counties, in the highest-rent tenth of HUD counties.

El Paso County sits in the expensive tier: 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent is 53% above the US average of $959, and 26% above the Colorado average of $1,161. Voucher payment standards and renter budgets both feel that premium. From FY 2025 to FY 2026 the 1-bedroom schedule moved $1,472 → $1,464 (-0.5%), roughly holding the premium in place.

At $1,464/mo for a 1-bedroom, the 30% rule wants $58,560/year: still within reach of the county median income of $87,470, though a 2-bedroom at $1,735 raises the bar.

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,083 · US avg: $893
$1,196/mo
↓ 1.9% YoY +10% vs state +34% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,161 · US avg: $959
$1,464/mo
↓ 0.5% YoY +26% vs state +53% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,429 · US avg: $1,175
$1,735/mo
↓ 2.4% YoY +21% vs state +48% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,861 · US avg: $1,525
$2,413/mo
↓ 3.1% YoY +30% vs state +58% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,178 · US avg: $1,756
$2,744/mo
↓ 3.6% YoY +26% vs state +56% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,219
$1,196
$-23 (-1.9%)
1 Bedroom $1,472
$1,464
$-8 (-0.5%)
2 Bedroom $1,778
$1,735
$-43 (-2.4%)
3 Bedroom $2,491
$2,413
$-78 (-3.1%)
4 Bedroom $2,846
$2,744
$-102 (-3.6%)

Affordability Snapshot

Based on the standard that rent should not exceed 30% of gross income:

Required annual income for 1 BR
$58,560
$4,880/month gross
Required annual income for 2 BR
$69,400
$5,783/month gross

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in El Paso County. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
16.4%
Affordable
Need $47,840/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
20.1%
Affordable
Need $58,560/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
23.8%
Affordable
Need $69,400/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
33.1%
Burdened
Need $96,520/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
37.6%
Burdened
Need $109,760/yr for 30% rule
How we calculate this

Rent burden = (FMR × 12) ÷ county median household income. Required income = (FMR × 12) ÷ 0.3, the federal 30%-of-gross-income rule HUD uses to define cost burden. Median household income is from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey; FMR is from HUD's FY2026 release. See methodology.

0%100%National avg22%23.8%
El Paso County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $87,470 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Colorado rent burden →

Where El Paso sits among every US county

2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties

$1,735 Top 8% higher than 92% of 3,145 counties

$600–$800: 23 counties (1%). Below this entry. $800–$1,000: 1,406 counties (45%). Below this entry. $1,000–$1,200: 723 counties (23%). Below this entry. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). Below this entry. $1,400–$1,600: 181 counties (6%). Below this entry. $1,600–$1,800: 172 counties (5%). This entry sits in this band. $1,800–$2,000: 108 counties (3%). Above this entry. $2,000–$2,200: 29 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,200–$2,400: 40 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,400–$2,600: 13 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,600–$2,800: 9 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,800–$3,000: 15 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,000–$3,200: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,200–$3,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,400–$3,600: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,600–$3,800: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,800–$4,000: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,000–$4,200: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,200–$4,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. This county $600 $4,400 every US county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.2K-wide band; taller bars hold more counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents · FY2026

How El Paso compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Colorado counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows El Paso is highlighted. Nearby Colorado counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Denver County ($1,754), Arapahoe County ($1,754), Jefferson County ($1,754), Adams County ($1,754), Douglas County ($1,754), Larimer County ($1,537), El Paso County (this county) ($1,464).

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) As of FY2026

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

Against a high local FMR of $1,464/mo, which of 15 common occupations still clear the 30% line using Colorado BLS wages?

Occupation CO Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $134,540 13.1% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $130,340 13.5% Affordable
Registered Nurses $96,520 18.2% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $96,100 18.3% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $90,030 19.5% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $73,380 23.9% Affordable
Electricians $62,090 28.3% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $61,550 28.5% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $60,260 29.2% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $48,070 36.5% Stretched
Customer Service Representatives $46,020 38.2% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $37,270 47.1% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $36,960 47.5% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $35,440 49.6% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $31,390 56% Unaffordable
Salaries: BLS OES (Colorado) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

7-year Fair Market Rent history for El Paso County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for El Paso (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 63.2% overall, from $897 to $1,464. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +19.0% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$800$1,000$1,200$1,400$1,600 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,464
El Paso County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↓0.5% $1,196 $1,464 $1,735
FY 2025 ↑4.5% $1,219 $1,472 $1,778
FY 2024 ↑19.0% $1,190 $1,408 $1,734
FY 2023 ↑14.5% $1,020 $1,183 $1,484
FY 2022 ↑8.9% $885 $1,033 $1,302
FY 2021 ↑5.8% $797 $949 $1,200
FY 2020 $743 $897 $1,141
Total change (6yr): +63.2%
Annualized: +8.5%/yr
1 BR: $897 → $1,464

Part of the Colorado Springs, CO Metro Area

El Paso County is a central county of the Colorado Springs, CO metropolitan statistical area, alongside 1 other metro-area county.

El Paso County ranks #1 of 2 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: El Paso County (this county) ($1,464), Teller County ($1,362).

El Paso County (this county)
1 BR: $1,464/mo
Teller County
1 BR: $1,362/mo

Nearby Counties in Colorado

Largest counties by population in Colorado

Denver County
1 BR: $1,754/mo Pop: 710,800
Arapahoe County
1 BR: $1,754/mo Pop: 654,453
Jefferson County
1 BR: $1,754/mo Pop: 580,519
Adams County
1 BR: $1,754/mo Pop: 520,149
Douglas County
1 BR: $1,754/mo Pop: 360,206
Larimer County
1 BR: $1,537/mo Pop: 359,363
Weld County
1 BR: $1,238/mo Pop: 331,466
Boulder County
1 BR: $1,795/mo Pop: 328,658
View all counties in Colorado →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in El Paso County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in El Paso County is $1,464 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,735 and a studio is $1,196.
How does El Paso County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in El Paso County is 53% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,464 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does El Paso County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, El Paso County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,735 ranks #252 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the highest-rent tenth of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in El Paso County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $58,560 ($4,880/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in El Paso County.
Is rent going up or down in El Paso County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in El Paso County decreased by 0.5% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,472 to $1,464.
Which jobs can afford rent in El Paso County? ▼
Based on Colorado BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,464/mo. 9 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in El Paso County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in El Paso County went from $897 in FY 2020 to $1,464 in FY 2026, a total change of +63.2% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in El Paso County? ▼
In El Paso County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,464/mo for a 1-bedroom sets the baseline that local housing authorities use for Section 8 payment standards.
What does Fair Market Rent mean for El Paso County? ▼
For El Paso County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,464/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

What this means for renters

Treat El Paso's FY2026 Fair Market Rent as HUD's affordability benchmark, not a market quote.

  • Budget to roughly 30% of income: the FY2026 1-bedroom FMR of $1,464 implies about $58,560/yr to rent without being cost-burdened. Run your numbers
  • Compare this county against nearby metros and states before signing a lease. Compare areas
  • See where it sits on the national rent map. View rankings

Fair Market Rent is HUD's 40th-percentile policy benchmark used to set Housing Choice Voucher payment standards. Actual asking rents in El Paso can run higher or lower, and HUD updates FMRs once a year. This page is informational and not financial or relocation advice.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD Fair Market Rents. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

All federal data sources used on this page
  • HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR) - county-level fair-market rent estimates by bedroom count. huduser.gov/datasets/fmr
  • HUD Income Limits - area median income for affordability calculations. huduser.gov/datasets/il
  • HUD Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) - rent burden and housing-cost distribution. huduser.gov/datasets/cp
  • U.S. Census Bureau ACS - county and metro housing characteristics + median rent. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
  • BLS Consumer Price Index, Rent of Primary Residence - rent inflation by metro. bls.gov/cpi
  • IRS Migration Data (SOI) - interstate migration aggregates affecting county demand. irs.gov/statistics/migration
  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - state-level median wages by occupation, used for job affordability analysis. bls.gov/oes

Every figure on PlainRent is rendered directly from HUD's published Fair Market Rent records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of FY 2026.