In Clifton, a typical home is worth $250,500 and typical rent is $1,107 a month. Compared with all of Mesa County, the typical home value is 34% lower and typical household income is 29% lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $258,588 to $328,964.
Typical rent
$1,385a month
▲ 2.7% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, March 2025 to September 2026: from $1,246 to $1,385.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Clifton is in Mesa County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Mesa County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Clifton has the 4th lowest typical household income of the 113 cities in Colorado with more than 5,000 people ($52,100).
2
The typical home in Clifton is worth $250,500,34% less than in Mesa County as a whole ($378,600).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Clifton
What homes there are in Clifton, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Clifton
Mesa County
Colorado
United States
Kind of home: Clifton and its comparisons
Measure
Clifton
Mesa County
Colorado
United States
Detached house
60%
71%
61%
61%
Attached house
3%
5%
8%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
13%
7%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
10%
23%
19%
Mobile home
20%
8%
4%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Clifton, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Mesa County, 7.
There are more mobile homes here than in Mesa County: 20% of homes, against 8%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Clifton
Mesa County
Colorado
United States
Year built: Clifton and its comparisons
Measure
Clifton
Mesa County
Colorado
United States
Before 1960
6%
16%
16%
26%
1960–1979
25%
23%
24%
24%
1980–1999
46%
31%
28%
25%
2000–2009
17%
18%
17%
14%
2010 or later
5%
11%
16%
11%
The typical year built in Clifton is 1987, about the same as in Mesa County (1987).
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K21%
$100K–$200K12%
$200K–$300K39%
$300K–$500K25%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Clifton and its comparisons
Measure
Clifton
Under $100K
21%
$100K–$200K
12%
$200K–$300K
39%
$300K–$500K
25%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
With an FHA limit of $541,287, at least 97% of owner-occupied homes in Clifton sit below it: they are worth less than $500,000.
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99937%
$1,000–$1,49939%
$1,500–$1,99921%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Clifton and its comparisons
Measure
Clifton
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
37%
$1,000–$1,499
39%
$1,500–$1,999
21%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,320 a month
Mesa County: $1,648 a month
Without a mortgage
$516 a month
Mesa County: $453 a month
Owners with a mortgage
71%
Mesa County: 66%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Clifton is $1,320 a month, less than in Mesa County ($1,648); without one, $516.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Clifton+75%
Mesa County+67%
Colorado+57%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Clifton+27%
Mesa County+23%
Colorado+39%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Clifton+20%
Mesa County+33%
Colorado+32%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Clifton and its comparisons
Measure
Clifton
Mesa County
Colorado
United States
Typical home value
+75%
+67%
+57%
+53%
Typical rent
+27%
+23%
+39%
+33%
Typical household income
+20%
+33%
+32%
+29%
The typical home value in Clifton rose 75% since 2015–2019, more than in Mesa County (67%).
The typical rent in Clifton rose 27% over the same time; in Mesa County, it rose 23%.
Housing prices ran ahead of income in Clifton: typical income rose 20%, against +75% for home values and +27% for rent.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Clifton and its comparisons
Measure
Clifton
Mesa County
Colorado
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
3.4%
5.1%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
5.1%
1.9%
2.4%
3.4%
People per household
2.50
2.34
2.42
2.53
Drive alone
72%
72%
65%
69%
Carpool
10%
8%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
4%
3%
3%
Work from home
14%
14%
21%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
2%
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
More households are short on space in Clifton: 5.1% have more than one person per room; in Mesa County, 1.9%.
On average, a household in Clifton has 2.50 people, more than in Mesa County (2.34).
To get to work, 72% of workers in Clifton drive alone; in Mesa County, 72%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Clifton?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Clifton, worth $250,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 45% of the typical household income in Clifton, which is $52,100 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $84,121 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Mesa County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Clifton. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $8,768 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,963
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$245,962
Total interest
$353,882
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $4,230 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,216 a month
Tight
$1,216 to $1,563 a month
Hard
more than $1,563 a month
Your payment · 45%
Compared with the typical household income in Clifton ($52,100 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,666
Property tax
$81
Home insurance
$104
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$111
You need at least $8,768 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,963; principal and interest $1,666.
The city and its county
Clifton and Mesa County
Clifton is in Mesa County, Colorado. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Clifton
Map of Mesa County, Colorado, with Clifton marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Clifton
Mesa County
Other cities with a page
Clifton's own numbers
Typical home value
$250,500
Typical monthly rent
$1,107
Typical yearly household income
$52,100
Households that own their home
73%
Effective property tax rate
0.39%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Mesa County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,282
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+54%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Mesa County.
A typical home in Clifton is worth $250,500: 34% below the county and 54% below Colorado. With the typical household income in Clifton ($52,100 a year), a typical home costs 4.8 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Clifton4.8 years
Mesa5.1 years
Colorado5.6 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Mesa County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Mesa County rose 110% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Mesa County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Mesa County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +5.0% +5.0% 2016
2017: +5.9% +5.9% 2017
2018: +9.6% +9.6% 2018
2019: +7.0% +7.0% 2019
2020: +4.6% +4.6% 2020
2021: +14.7% +14.7% 2021
2022: +16.4% +16.4% 2022
2023: +5.7% +5.7% 2023
2024: +5.9% +5.9% 2024
2025: +3.2% +3.2% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Mesa County, Colorado and the United States
Period
County
Colorado
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+3.2%
+0.1%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+54%
+38%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+110%
+93%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Clifton next to Mesa County, Colorado and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Clifton$250,500
Mesa$378,600
Colorado$539,400
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Clifton$1,107
Mesa$1,182
Colorado$1,761
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Clifton$52,100
Mesa$73,658
Colorado$95,470
United States$80,734
See the full table
Clifton next to Mesa County and Colorado
Measure
Clifton
Mesa County
Colorado
U.S.
Typical home value
$250,500 ▼34% below the county
$378,600
$539,400
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,107 ▼6% below the county
$1,182
$1,761
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$52,100 ▼29% below the county
$73,658
$95,470
$80,734
Households that own their home
73% ▲1 points above the county
72%
66%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$975 ▼32% below the county
$1,439
$2,602
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.39% ▲0.01 points above the county
0.38%
0.48%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
54% ▲5 points above the county
49%
53%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Mesa County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Clifton
For a typical $250,500 home in Clifton, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Clifton's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,963a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$8,768
Cash to close
$16,283
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $111
Conventional, 5% down$1,917a month
Down payment
$12,525
Cash to close
$20,040
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $119
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,543a month
Down payment
$50,100
Cash to close
$57,615
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,775a month
Down payment
$37,575
Cash to close
$45,090
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Clifton
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,963
$8,768
$245,963
7.18%
FHA MIP · $111
$16,283
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,917
$12,525
$237,975
7.18%
PMI · $119
$20,040
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,543
$50,100
$200,400
7.18%
None
$57,615
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,775
$37,575
$212,925
8.18%
None
$45,090
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Clifton is $1,107 a month: 6% below the county. In Clifton, 54% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Mesa County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,282 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $24.65 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Mesa County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$893
$17.17
$35,720
1 bedroom
$1,017
$19.56
$40,680
2 bedrooms
$1,282
$24.65
$51,280
3 bedrooms
$1,775
$34.13
$71,000
4 bedrooms
$2,143
$41.21
$85,720
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Clifton
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Clifton has 2 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,140 in 81520 to $1,540 in 81504.
1 of the 2 is above the fair market rent for Mesa County ($1,282).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Clifton, fiscal year 2027.
81504
$1,070
$1,220
$1,540
$2,130
$2,570
81520
$800
$900
$1,140
$1,580
$1,910
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
81504 $1,540$2,130
81520 $1,140$1,580
2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Clifton when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 3 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Clifton. These are the largest.
Clifton Village South Townhomes3206 Mesa Ave, Clifton 81520119 homes, 114 low-income · 2 bd: 25 · 3 bd: 94 · In service since 2001 · For families(970) 434-2674
Clifton Townhouse Apts Ahpc3222 D 1/2 Rd, Clifton 8152051 low-income homes · 2 bd: 35 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2003 · For families(970) 434-3683
Grand Valley Apts531 Jay Lee St, Clifton 8152050 low-income homes · 2 bd: 26 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 1999
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Mesa County; none says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Clifton or Mesa County. The ones below are statewide in Colorado: they work in Clifton the same as in the rest of the state.
Colorado state agency help with the down payment or closing costs: a grant of up to 3% of the mortgage or a deferred second mortgage of up to 4%, both capped at $25,000.Offered by Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA).
$25,000 from the Colorado state agency for the down payment of first-generation buyers (neither you nor your parents have owned a home); repaid when you sell, refinance or pay off the mortgage.Offered by Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Clifton or Mesa County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Clifton and all of Mesa County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Clifton?
The typical home value in Clifton is $250,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Mesa County it is $378,600.
How much does it cost to rent in Clifton?
Typical rent in Clifton is $1,107 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Mesa County is $1,282.
What is the FHA loan limit in Clifton?
Clifton uses the FHA limit for all of Mesa County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Clifton?
The typical homeowner in Clifton pays $975 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.39% of the home’s value; in Mesa County, the rate is 0.38%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Clifton?
There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Mesa County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
