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Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Boulder

Affordable Housing in Boulder, CO

Boulder has 33 affordable and income-based rental properties offering 2,308 units across the city. With a median market rent of $2,018 per month (Census ACS 5-Year, as of 2024), income-based housing can make a real difference for renters here. Over half of Boulder residents rent their homes, so demand for affordable options is significant.

33
Properties
2,308
Total units
92/100
Avg HUD score

At a glance

🏠 Affordability
$2,018/mo

Affordability

Boulder's median asking rent is $2,018 per month and the median household income is $87,493 per year, with 53% of residents renting rather than owning, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (2024). These figures highlight how competitive the local rental market is and why the 314 income-restricted units across Boulder's 6 HUD-assisted and LIHTC properties can be a critical resource for cost-burdened renters.

Census ACS 5-Year
🛡️ Safety
325 / 100k · 2024

Safety

According to the Boulder Police Department's data reported to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, Boulder had a violent crime rate of 325 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Note that crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting methods and local definitions.

FBI Crime Data Explorer
🚶 Getting around
Walk Score 89 · Very Walkable

Getting Around Boulder

The area around Boulder's assisted properties scores well for walkability and biking, with transit availability in the middle range, according to Walk Score.

  • Walk Score: 89 - Very Walkable
  • Transit Score: 42 - Some Transit
  • Bike Score: 93

These scores reflect the locations of the assisted properties in Boulder, not the city as a whole.

Walk Score
🎓 Schools
30 schools · 2 districts

Schools

Boulder is served by 30 schools across 2 districts, including 17 elementary, 6 middle, and 7 high schools, according to NCES Common Core of Data. Ratings vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address.

NCES Common Core of Data
📊 Cost of living
$87,493 median income

Cost of Renting in Boulder, CO

Boulder is one of Colorado's most expensive rental markets. The median household income is $87,493 per year and the median asking rent is $2,018 per month, according to Census ACS 5-Year data.

Affordable and income-based housing can significantly reduce that burden. The 314 income-restricted units across Boulder's 6 HUD-assisted and LIHTC properties are reserved for renters who qualify based on income, with rents set below market rate by program rules.

  • Median monthly rent (all rentals): $2,018 (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Median household income: $87,493 per year (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Share of households that rent: 53% (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Income-restricted units in this city: 314 across 6 properties

If you qualify for an income-based program such as Section 8 or LIHTC, your rent is typically calculated as a percentage of your household income rather than pegged to market rates -- making these units far more affordable than the Boulder average.

Census ACS 5-Year
🌊 Environment & risk

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 6 HUD-assisted properties in Boulder were mapped for flood risk. Of those, 1 property falls within a high-risk flood zone, while the remaining 5 carry low or minimal flood exposure.

FEMA · EPA AirNow
HUD Inspection Scoresavg 92/100(6 of 33 scored)
90+ (4)70–89 (2)No score (27)

33 properties on the map

Top-rated properties

Browse all 33 affordable apartments in Boulder→

Other cities in CO

› Affordable housing in Arvada› Aurora income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Brush› Carbondale affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Colorado Springs› Affordable housing in Commerce City› Denver income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Fort Collins› Grand Junction affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Greeley› Affordable housing in La Junta› Lakewood income-based apartments

Your rights & resources

› How HUD & Section 8 housing works› Tenant rights in CO› Housing assistance & waitlists› Free legal aid (LawHelp)› Energy bill help (LIHEAP)

Read more

About Affordable Housing in Boulder

Boulder is one of Colorado's most sought-after cities, but a median market rent of $2,018 per month (Census ACS 5-Year, as of 2024) makes affordable housing options here especially valuable. With 53 percent of residents renting (Census ACS 5-Year, as of 2024), the demand for income-based and HUD-assisted homes is real and ongoing.

Lease Lantern tracks 6 affordable properties totaling 314 units across Boulder. All 6 have been scored, and 4 earned an excellent rating -- a strong sign of well-maintained housing stock in this city.

One of the 6 properties carries a high flood-risk designation based on FEMA flood map data, so it is worth reviewing flood zone details for any listing you consider.

Boulder scores 89 (Very Walkable) and 93 for biking according to Walk Score, making it easier to get around without a car -- a practical advantage for renters watching their budgets. Transit scores a 42 (Some Transit) per Walk Score, so options exist but vary by location.

According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024), Boulder's violent crime rate is 325 per 100,000 residents, reported by the Boulder Police Department.

Boulder's public school landscape includes 30 schools -- 17 elementary, 6 middle, and 7 high schools -- across 2 districts, according to NCES Common Core of Data.

A Deeper Look Is Coming

Eligibility & how to apply

Colorado income limits (2026)Colorado public housing authoritiesSection 8 waitlists in Colorado

Helpful guides

How Section 8 Vouchers WorkWhat Is Income-Based Housing?How to Apply for Affordable HousingSection 8 vs. LIHTCUnderstanding HUD Inspection ScoresHow Affordable Housing Waitlists Work
Research: what 22,600 HUD inspection scores reveal →