CALCMONEY // HOME AFFORDABILITY // CO // BOULDER
How much house can you afford in Boulder? Based on local median home prices, current CO mortgage rates, and Boulder property tax data.
$1,250,000
$7,732/mo
$331,364/yr
$756,814
Monthly housing costs of $7,732 represent 42.2% of Boulder's median gross monthly income ($18,333/mo). At 42.2%, median-income buyers in Boulder are significantly stretched — well above the 28% guideline. A larger down payment or higher income is required.
| Median Home Price | $1,250,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $250,000 |
| Loan Amount | $1,000,000 |
| Monthly PI Payment | $6,586 |
| Monthly Property Tax | $625 |
| Monthly Insurance Est. | $521 |
| Total Monthly PITI | $7,732 |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 42.2% |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $331,364/yr |
| Max Affordable Home | $756,814 |
$43,750
$9,945/mo
Boulder Home Affordability Quick Reference 2026
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $1,250,000 | Boulder city median |
| Down Payment (20%) | $250,000 | Conventional loan |
| Monthly PITI | $7,732 | 6.9% rate, 30yr fixed |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $331,364 | Annual gross |
| Max Affordable Home | $756,814 | Based on median income |
| FHA Down (3.5%) | $43,750 | Minimum FHA |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 42.2% | Median income: $220,000/yr |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.6% | $7,500/yr on median home |
Monthly PITI includes principal, interest, property tax, and homeowners insurance. Estimates only.
The median home price in Boulder is $1,250,000, with a local 30-year mortgage rate of 6.9%. A buyer putting 20% down carries a loan of $1,000,000, generating a monthly P&I payment of $6,586. Adding property taxes ($625/mo) and homeowners insurance ($521/mo) brings total monthly PITI to $7,732.
Boulder's property tax rate of 0.6% is among the lower rates in the country, which improves overall affordability by keeping total PITI closer to the principal and interest payment alone. On the Boulder median home, that is $625/month, or $7,500 per year.
Colorado levies a state income tax, which affects take-home pay and effective buying power. High-income earners in Boulder should factor state tax liability into their overall housing budget — mortgage interest may be deductible on both federal and state returns.
Using the 28% rule, a household earning Boulder's median income of $220,000/year can afford up to $5,133/month in total housing costs. Based on Boulder's mortgage rate of 6.9% and property tax rate of 0.6%, that translates to a maximum affordable home price of approximately $756,814 with 20% down on a 30-year loan.
To afford the median Boulder home priced at $1,250,000, you need an annual gross income of approximately $331,364. Total monthly housing costs (principal and interest of $6,586, property taxes of $625, and insurance of $521) come to $7,732/month, which equals 28% of the required income.
At the median home price of $1,250,000 and median household income of $220,000, the total monthly housing cost of $7,732 represents 42.2% of gross monthly income. This is well above the standard 28% threshold, making Boulder a challenging market for buyers at median income.
A conventional 20% down payment on the median Boulder home of $1,250,000 is $250,000. An FHA loan requires just 3.5% down — $43,750 — but adds mortgage insurance of roughly $854/month, bringing total FHA payments to $9,945/month.
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