Special Interest
Housing in Chaffee County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Chaffee County averages $1,611/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the Colorado median of $1,761 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 31% of household income on rent, below the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Chaffee County FMR Area are $1,252 for a studio, $1,260 for 1‑bedroom, $1,653 for 2‑bedroom, $2,299 for 3‑bedroom, and $2,592 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $42 increase for a 2-bedroom in Chaffee County shows a 3% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Chaffee County was 4.0% in 2024, compared to Colorado at 4.3% and the national rate of 4.0%.
