County FMR · HUD FY2026

Ouray County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Ouray County, CO - 30% above the US average.

$1,245
1-bedroom FMR
$1,526
2-bedroom FMR
+1.2%
YoY change
+30%
vs US avg

The verdict

Ouray is the 22nd most expensive of 64 counties in Colorado by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #440 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties.

#440
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#22
most expensive of 64 in Colorado (2BR)
+7%
vs the state average
$49,800
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (11.1%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (47.6%).

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

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Ouray County, Colorado is $1,245 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,526/mo and a studio is $1,170/mo. This is 30% higher than the national average of $959 and 7% above the Colorado average of $1,161.

Rent increased1.2% from FY 2025 ($1,230), roughly tracking inflation. A household needs about $49,800/year to stay under the 30% rent-to-income line.

Observed renter burden: 37.3% of the 553 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: 4,936. Population grew 6.4% over the past five years (Census ACS) - among the faster-growing counties nationally, a trend that typically adds upward pressure on rents. That's in line with Colorado's statewide growth of +5.1% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area OURAY·COUNTY·CO·CO

Ouray County, CO: $1,245/mo 1BR · #440 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA CO
  • 1BR-FMR $1,245
  • 2BR-FMR $1,526
  • RANK-MID #440
  • YOY-FLAT +1.2%
  • VSUS-HIGH +30%
  • VS-ST-NEAR +7% CO
  • INC-ROOM 18%
  • POP-SMALL 5K
  • PHOTO-NEAR El Paso County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $1,121–$1,370
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: El Paso ($219 1BR gap)

Read with: Understanding rent burden

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,083 · US avg: $893
$1,170/mo
↓ 4.3% YoY +8% vs state +31% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,161 · US avg: $959
$1,245/mo
↑ 1.2% YoY +7% vs state +30% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,429 · US avg: $1,175
$1,526/mo
↓ 5.5% YoY +7% vs state +30% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,861 · US avg: $1,525
$2,122/mo
↓ 4.1% YoY +14% vs state +39% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,178 · US avg: $1,756
$2,392/mo
↓ 7.4% YoY +10% vs state +36% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,222
$1,170
$-52 (-4.3%)
1 Bedroom $1,230
$1,245
+$15 (+1.2%)
2 Bedroom $1,614
$1,526
$-88 (-5.5%)
3 Bedroom $2,213
$2,122
$-91 (-4.1%)
4 Bedroom $2,582
$2,392
$-190 (-7.4%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
16.6%
Affordable
Need $46,800/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
17.7%
Affordable
Need $49,800/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
21.7%
Affordable
Need $61,040/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
30.1%
Burdened
Need $84,880/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
33.9%
Burdened
Need $95,680/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%21.7%
Ouray County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $84,556 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Colorado rent burden →

Where Ouray sits among every US county

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

$1,526 Top 14% higher than 86% 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 Ouray compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Colorado counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Ouray 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), Ouray County (this county) ($1,245).

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 $1,245/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 11.1% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $130,340 11.5% Affordable
Registered Nurses $96,520 15.5% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $96,100 15.5% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $90,030 16.6% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $73,380 20.4% Affordable
Electricians $62,090 24.1% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $61,550 24.3% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $60,260 24.8% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $48,070 31.1% Stretched
Customer Service Representatives $46,020 32.5% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $37,270 40.1% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $36,960 40.4% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $35,440 42.2% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $31,390 47.6% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Colorado) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Ouray (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 41.5% overall, from $880 to $1,245. The path there hasn't been smooth: year-over-year moves have swung by as much as 17.2% (FY 2021), a volatility pattern that makes single-year comparisons a poor guide to the underlying trend.

$800$1,000$1,200$1,400 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,245
Ouray County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑1.2% $1,170 $1,245 $1,526
FY 2025 ↓8.8% $1,222 $1,230 $1,614
FY 2024 ↑11.1% $1,340 $1,349 $1,772
FY 2023 ↑3.2% $1,206 $1,214 $1,598
FY 2022 ↑14.1% $1,169 $1,176 $1,548
FY 2021 ↑17.2% $1,024 $1,031 $1,359
FY 2020 $755 $880 $1,159
Total change (6yr): +41.5%
Annualized: +6.0%/yr
1 BR: $880 → $1,245

Where Ouray County Ranks in Colorado

Ouray 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 #43 of 64 counties in Colorado. Nearest by rank: 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 ($1,475), Teller County ($1,493), Ouray County (this 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), Routt County ($2,022), Adams County ($2,089).

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
2 BR: $1,475/mo
Teller County
2 BR: $1,493/mo
Ouray County (this 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
Routt County
2 BR: $2,022/mo
Adams County
2 BR: $2,089/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Ouray 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).

Lancaster County
PA · 2 BR $1,526/mo
Knox County
ME · 2 BR $1,526/mo
Bristol County
MA · 2 BR $1,527/mo
Monroe County
PA · 2 BR $1,529/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Alger County
MI · 21.7% of income · 2 BR $1,072/mo
Evans County
GA · 21.7% of income · 2 BR $973/mo
Mahnomen County
MN · 21.7% of income · 2 BR $973/mo
Craighead County
AR · 21.7% of income · 2 BR $1,040/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 Ouray County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Ouray County is $1,245 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,526 and a studio is $1,170.
How does Ouray County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Ouray County is 30% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,245 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Ouray County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Ouray County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,526 ranks #440 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 Ouray County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $49,800 ($4,150/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Ouray County.
Is rent going up or down in Ouray County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Ouray County increased by 1.2% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,230 to $1,245.
Which jobs can afford rent in Ouray 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 $1,245/mo. 9 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Ouray County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Ouray County went from $880 in FY 2020 to $1,245 in FY 2026, a total change of +41.5% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Ouray County? ▼
In Ouray County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,245/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 Ouray County? ▼
For Ouray County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,245/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.