County FMR · HUD FY2026

Grand County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Grand County, CO - 37% above the US average.

$1,318
1-bedroom FMR
$1,475
2-bedroom FMR
+10.3%
YoY change
+37%
vs US avg

The verdict

Grand is the 24th most expensive of 64 counties in Colorado by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #472 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 10.3% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.

#472
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#24
most expensive of 64 in Colorado (2BR)
+14%
vs the state average
$52,720
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (11.8%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (50.4%).

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

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for Grand County, Colorado at $1,318 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,475/mo and a studio is $1,107/mo. This is 37% higher than the national average of $959 and 14% above the Colorado average of $1,161.

Rent increased10.3% from FY 2025 ($1,195), outpacing inflation. A household needs about $52,720/year to stay under the 30% rent-to-income line.

Observed renter burden: 45.8% of the 1,526 renter households counted by ACS paid at least 30% of income in gross rent. This ACS 2023 household measure is distinct from HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent benchmark above.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Colorado. Population: 15,724. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+4.8%, Census ACS). That's in line with Colorado's statewide growth of +5.1% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area GRAND·COUNTY·CO·CO

Grand County, CO: $1,318/mo 1BR · #472 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA CO
  • 1BR-FMR $1,318
  • 2BR-FMR $1,475
  • RANK-MID #472
  • YOY-SURGE +10.3%
  • VSUS-HIGH +37%
  • VS-ST-HIGH +14% CO
  • INC-ROOM 19%
  • POP-SMALL 16K
  • PHOTO-NEAR El Paso County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $1,186–$1,450
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: El Paso ($146 1BR gap)

Read with: Understanding rent burden

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,083 · US avg: $893
$1,107/mo
↑ 7.8% YoY +2% vs state +24% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,161 · US avg: $959
$1,318/mo
↑ 10.3% YoY +14% vs state +37% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,429 · US avg: $1,175
$1,475/mo
↑ 11.5% YoY +3% vs state +26% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,861 · US avg: $1,525
$1,769/mo
↑ 11.0% YoY -5% vs state +16% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,178 · US avg: $1,756
$2,474/mo
↑ 11.3% YoY +14% vs state +41% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,027
$1,107
+$80 (+7.8%)
1 Bedroom $1,195
$1,318
+$123 (+10.3%)
2 Bedroom $1,323
$1,475
+$152 (+11.5%)
3 Bedroom $1,594
$1,769
+$175 (+11.0%)
4 Bedroom $2,222
$2,474
+$252 (+11.3%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
15.7%
Affordable
Need $44,280/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
18.7%
Affordable
Need $52,720/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
20.9%
Affordable
Need $59,000/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
25.1%
Affordable
Need $70,760/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
35.1%
Burdened
Need $98,960/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%20.9%
Grand County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $84,558 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Colorado rent burden →

Where Grand sits among every US county

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

$1,475 Top 15% higher than 85% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $1,600–$1,800: 172 counties (5%). Above this entry. $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 Grand compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Colorado counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Grand 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), El Paso County ($1,464), Grand County (this county) ($1,318).

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 $1,318/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 11.8% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $130,340 12.1% Affordable
Registered Nurses $96,520 16.4% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $96,100 16.5% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $90,030 17.6% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $73,380 21.6% Affordable
Electricians $62,090 25.5% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $61,550 25.7% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $60,260 26.2% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $48,070 32.9% Stretched
Customer Service Representatives $46,020 34.4% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $37,270 42.4% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $36,960 42.8% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $35,440 44.6% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $31,390 50.4% Unaffordable
Salaries: BLS OES (Colorado) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Grand (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 71.4% overall, from $769 to $1,318. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +23.1% in FY 2022, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$600$800$1,000$1,200$1,400 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,318
Grand County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑10.3% $1,107 $1,318 $1,475
FY 2025 ↑0.8% $1,027 $1,195 $1,323
FY 2024 ↑6.9% $1,080 $1,186 $1,332
FY 2023 ↑3.1% $965 $1,109 $1,253
FY 2022 ↑23.1% $850 $1,076 $1,279
FY 2021 ↑13.7% $755 $874 $1,144
FY 2020 $660 $769 $1,013
Total change (6yr): +71.4%
Annualized: +9.4%/yr
1 BR: $769 → $1,318

Where Grand County Ranks in Colorado

Grand County is not part of any federally-designated metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area -- an independent rental market not administratively tied to a larger urban core. By 2-bedroom FMR, it ranks #41 of 64 counties in Colorado. Nearest by rank: Mesa County ($1,249), Pueblo County ($1,269), Crowley County ($1,289), Gunnison County ($1,334), Archuleta County ($1,337), Lake County ($1,343), Mineral County ($1,343), Chaffee County ($1,466), Grand County (this county) ($1,475), Teller County ($1,493), Ouray County ($1,526), Weld County ($1,563), La Plata County ($1,589), Garfield County ($1,605), San Miguel County ($1,645), Larimer County ($1,732), El Paso County ($1,735).

Mesa County
2 BR: $1,249/mo
Pueblo County
2 BR: $1,269/mo
Crowley County
2 BR: $1,289/mo
Gunnison County
2 BR: $1,334/mo
Archuleta County
2 BR: $1,337/mo
Lake County
2 BR: $1,343/mo
Mineral County
2 BR: $1,343/mo
Chaffee County
2 BR: $1,466/mo
Grand County (this county)
2 BR: $1,475/mo
Teller County
2 BR: $1,493/mo
Ouray County
2 BR: $1,526/mo
Weld County
2 BR: $1,563/mo
La Plata County
2 BR: $1,589/mo
Garfield County
2 BR: $1,605/mo
San Miguel County
2 BR: $1,645/mo
Larimer County
2 BR: $1,732/mo
El Paso County
2 BR: $1,735/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Grand County, both outside Colorado so the link neighborhoods are not the same-state geography lattice above. Axes stay disjoint: burden peers exclude the FMR peer set.

Similar 2-bedroom FMR

Nearest HUD 2BR Fair Market Rents outside CO (FY2026).

Tulare County
CA · 2 BR $1,474/mo
Marion County
IN · 2 BR $1,473/mo
Hamilton County
IN · 2 BR $1,473/mo
Hendricks County
IN · 2 BR $1,473/mo

Similar rent burden

Nearest 2BR FMR as a share of median household income (outside CO).

Whitfield County
GA · 20.9% of income · 2 BR $1,121/mo
Hart County
KY · 20.9% of income · 2 BR $866/mo
Montgomery County
MD · 20.9% of income · 2 BR $2,246/mo
Johnson County
WY · 20.9% of income · 2 BR $1,115/mo

Nearby Counties in Colorado

Largest counties by population in Colorado

Showing the 8 largest of 63 other counties in Colorado.

El Paso County
1 BR: $1,464/mo Pop: 730,323
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
View all counties in Colorado →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Grand County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Grand County is $1,318 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,475 and a studio is $1,107.
How does Grand County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Grand County is 37% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,318 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Grand County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Grand County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,475 ranks #472 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the upper-rent quarter of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Grand County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $52,720 ($4,393/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Grand County.
Is rent going up or down in Grand County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Grand County increased by 10.3% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,195 to $1,318.
Which jobs can afford rent in Grand 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 $1,318/mo. 9 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Grand County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Grand County went from $769 in FY 2020 to $1,318 in FY 2026, a total change of +71.4% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Grand County? ▼
In Grand County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,318/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 Grand County? ▼
For Grand County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,318/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

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.