CALCMONEY // HOME AFFORDABILITY // CO // GOLDEN
How much house can you afford in Golden? Based on local median home prices, current CO mortgage rates, and Golden property tax data.
$780,000
$4,825/mo
$206,771/yr
$493,155
Monthly housing costs of $4,825 represent 40.8% of Golden's median gross monthly income ($11,833/mo). At 40.8%, median-income buyers in Golden are significantly stretched — well above the 28% guideline. A larger down payment or higher income is required.
| Median Home Price | $780,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $156,000 |
| Loan Amount | $624,000 |
| Monthly PI Payment | $4,110 |
| Monthly Property Tax | $390 |
| Monthly Insurance Est. | $325 |
| Total Monthly PITI | $4,825 |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 40.8% |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $206,771/yr |
| Max Affordable Home | $493,155 |
$27,300
$6,205/mo
Golden Home Affordability Quick Reference 2026
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $780,000 | Golden city median |
| Down Payment (20%) | $156,000 | Conventional loan |
| Monthly PITI | $4,825 | 6.9% rate, 30yr fixed |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $206,771 | Annual gross |
| Max Affordable Home | $493,155 | Based on median income |
| FHA Down (3.5%) | $27,300 | Minimum FHA |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 40.8% | Median income: $142,000/yr |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.6% | $4,680/yr on median home |
Monthly PITI includes principal, interest, property tax, and homeowners insurance. Estimates only.
The median home price in Golden is $780,000, with a local 30-year mortgage rate of 6.9%. A buyer putting 20% down carries a loan of $624,000, generating a monthly P&I payment of $4,110. Adding property taxes ($390/mo) and homeowners insurance ($325/mo) brings total monthly PITI to $4,825.
Golden'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 Golden median home, that is $390/month, or $4,680 per year.
Colorado levies a state income tax, which affects take-home pay and effective buying power. High-income earners in Golden 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 Golden's median income of $142,000/year can afford up to $3,313/month in total housing costs. Based on Golden's mortgage rate of 6.9% and property tax rate of 0.6%, that translates to a maximum affordable home price of approximately $493,155 with 20% down on a 30-year loan.
To afford the median Golden home priced at $780,000, you need an annual gross income of approximately $206,771. Total monthly housing costs (principal and interest of $4,110, property taxes of $390, and insurance of $325) come to $4,825/month, which equals 28% of the required income.
At the median home price of $780,000 and median household income of $142,000, the total monthly housing cost of $4,825 represents 40.8% of gross monthly income. This is well above the standard 28% threshold, making Golden a challenging market for buyers at median income.
A conventional 20% down payment on the median Golden home of $780,000 is $156,000. An FHA loan requires just 3.5% down — $27,300 — but adds mortgage insurance of roughly $533/month, bringing total FHA payments to $6,205/month.
Denver
$570,000 median
COColorado Springs
$445,000 median
COAurora
$480,000 median
COFort Collins
$530,000 median