Rent here is not cheap, and it is not as bad as the headlines. Two listing sites that track current asking prices land within a few dollars of each other, and a county study shows what people already in town actually pay.
How much is a one-, two- or three-bedroom in Durango?
Here are the October 2026 averages for asking rent. Zillow counts all types of rentals, and Trulia reports the same market a little differently.
| Size | Zillow | Trulia |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,200 | not listed |
| 1 bedroom | $1,650 | $1,600 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,200 | $2,248 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,900 | $2,800 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,200 | $3,500 |
Both sites show the same 137 open rentals and the same spread, from $850 to $4,750 (Zillow, Trulia). Property type matters. Trulia puts apartments at $1,796 on average, townhomes at $2,650 and houses at $2,800. A one-bedroom house averages $2,000, which is $500 above a one-bedroom apartment.
Prices have been flat more than they have climbed. Trulia reports a $95 rise since last October. Zillow's own monthly series reads $2,274 last October and $2,295 this October.
Why is rent here higher than what long-time renters pay?
Asking rent is the price of a vacant unit today. It is not the price on a lease signed three years ago. The 2025 La Plata County Housing Needs Assessment, prepared for the Regional Housing Alliance, uses 2022 Census data and puts Durango's median rent paid at $1,404, the highest of any town in the county (City of Durango). Market-rate asking rent in the county was about $1,500 in 2024, per the same report.
So a new lease costs more than a renewal. If you are moving from out of town, plan on the asking numbers above. If you already rent here, expect your landlord to know the gap too.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Durango?
The common rule is that housing should take no more than 30% of gross income. Applying that rule is our own arithmetic. A $1,600 one-bedroom takes about $64,000 a year, and a $2,248 two-bedroom takes about $90,000.
The county report finds the median renter household earned $48,454. It also finds that about half of county renters, 49%, are cost burdened or severely so. Many locals handle this by sharing a house, renting a room or living outside town. The report notes that about a third of rental units cost more than $2,000 a month.
Is the Durango rental market tight?
Yes, though less than a few years ago. The assessment puts the county's rental vacancy rate at just over 4%, up from about 2% in 2020, and calls it "very tight." Zillow rates Durango's rental demand as cool, not hot.
Another quirk of a resort town: the report found that the most common reason a home sits vacant is seasonal, recreational or occasional use, at 52% of vacant homes in the county. A home sitting empty is not always a home for rent.
Does the HUD rent limit match the market?
Not close. HUD's fiscal year 2026 Fair Market Rent for La Plata County is $1,211 for a one-bedroom and $1,589 for a two-bedroom (Section8HQ, HUD data). That is the benchmark housing authorities use to set voucher limits. A two-bedroom's market average of about $2,200 is roughly $600 higher. Voucher holders should ask the housing authority about its payment standard before searching.
Where do you look for a rental?
Start with the property management companies that handle long-term leases and the apartment complexes in the directory. Many Durango landlords rent without ever posting online, so ask around at work and check community boards.
For the full picture of what it costs to live here, read our cost of living guide. If your budget is tight, see where to find affordable housing in Durango. Thinking of renting by the night instead? Check whether short-term rentals are allowed.