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City · 20,417 residents · Jefferson County, Colorado

Golden , Colorado

In Golden, a typical home is worth $837,700 and typical rent is $1,953 a month. Compared with all of Jefferson County, the typical home value is 31% higher, typical household income is 11% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 14 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $837,700

    31% above the county

    55% above Colorado

    • Golden
    • Jefferson
    • Colorado

  • Typical rent

    $1,953a month

    5% above the county

    11% above Colorado

    • Golden
    • Jefferson
    • Colorado

  • Typical household income

    $98,582a year

    11% below the county

    3% above Colorado

    • Golden
    • Jefferson
    • Colorado

  • Households that own their home

    57%

    14 points below the county

    9 points below Colorado

    • Golden
    • Jefferson
    • Colorado

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$847,466
0.5% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$2,100 a month
about the same as 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Golden is in Jefferson County. The FHA loan limit ($862,500 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Jefferson County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Golden apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Nearby, in West Pleasant View, the typical home value is $489,400: 42% less than in Golden ($837,700).

  2. The typical home in Golden is worth $837,700, 31% more than in Jefferson County as a whole ($637,600).

  3. 57% of households in Golden own their home, against 71% in Jefferson County.

  4. Nearby, in Wheat Ridge, the typical rent is $1,579: 19% less than in Golden ($1,953).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Golden

What homes there are in Golden, 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

In Golden there is a bit of everything: no kind of home reaches half. The most common are detached houses (48%); in Jefferson County, 64%.

Mobile homes are 8% of homes in Golden, more than in Jefferson County (1%).

Year built

Here half of the homes date from 1989 or later; in Jefferson County, from 1980 or later.

There are fewer big homes in Golden than in Jefferson County: 55% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 64%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$2,969 a month

Jefferson County: $2,498 a month

Without a mortgage

$765 a month

Jefferson County: $737 a month

Owners with a mortgage

57%

Jefferson County: 71%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Golden is $2,969 a month, more than in Jefferson County ($2,498); without one, $765.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

Much as in Jefferson County, the typical home value in Golden rose 60% since 2015–2019.

The typical rent in Golden rose 41% over the same time; in Jefferson County, it rose 35%.

Housing prices ran ahead of income in Golden: typical income rose 36%, against +60% for home values and +41% for rent.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureGoldenJefferson CountyColoradoUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate4.9%5.1%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.6%0.8%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate1.4%2.4%3.4%
People per household 2.332.362.422.53
Drive alone 51%64%65%69%
Carpool 7%6%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate1%2%3%
Walk or bike 9%2%3%3%
Work from home 31%25%21%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

A household in Golden has 2.33 people on average, about the same as in Jefferson County (2.36).

In Golden, 9% of workers walk or bike to work; in Jefferson County, 2%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Golden?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Golden, worth $837,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 80% of the typical household income in Golden, which is $98,582 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $283,105 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Jefferson County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Golden. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $29,320 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$6,606

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$822,527
Total interest
$1,183,423
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $14,147 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,300 a month

  • Tight

    $2,300 to $2,957 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,957 a month

    Your payment · 80%

Compared with the typical household income in Golden ($98,582 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$6,606
Principal & interest$5,572
Property tax$314
Home insurance$349
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$371

You need at least $29,320 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

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.

The city and its county

Golden and Jefferson County

Golden is in Jefferson 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).

Golden's own numbers

Typical home value
$837,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,953
Typical yearly household income
$98,582
Households that own their home
57%
Effective property tax rate
0.45%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Jefferson County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$862,500
Conventional limit, one unit
$862,500
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$2,169
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+41%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.9%

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 Jefferson County.

Everything about Jefferson County

Buying

Buying a home in Golden

A typical home in Golden is worth $837,700: 31% above the county and 55% above Colorado. With the typical household income in Golden ($98,582 a year), a typical home costs 8.5 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.

  • Golden 8.5 years
  • Jefferson 5.8 years
  • Colorado 5.6 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Jefferson County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Jefferson County rose 99% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Jefferson County.

Period County Colorado U.S.
Last year (2025) +0.5% +0.1% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +41% +38% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +99% +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

Golden next to Jefferson 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
  • Golden $837,700
  • Jefferson $637,600
  • Colorado $539,400
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Golden $1,953
  • Jefferson $1,861
  • Colorado $1,761
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Golden $98,582
  • Jefferson $110,656
  • Colorado $95,470
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Golden next to Jefferson County and Colorado
Measure Golden Jefferson County Colorado U.S.
Typical home value $837,700 $637,600 $539,400 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,953 $1,861 $1,761 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $98,582 $110,656 $95,470 $80,734
Households that own their home 57% 71% 66% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $3,811 $3,082 $2,602 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.45% 0.48% 0.48% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 51% 53% 53% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Jefferson 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 Golden

For a typical $837,700 home in Golden, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Golden's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $6,606a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $29,320
    Cash to close
    $54,451
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $371

  • Conventional, 5% down $6,452a month

    Down payment
    $41,885
    Cash to close
    $67,016
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $398

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $5,203a month

    Down payment
    $167,540
    Cash to close
    $192,671
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $5,978a month

    Down payment
    $125,655
    Cash to close
    $150,786
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

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.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Golden and for Jefferson County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Golden

0.45%of the home’s value each year

$3,811 a year for the typical owner in Golden.

  • Golden 0.45%
  • Jefferson 0.48%
  • Colorado 0.48%

What Colorado publishes Senior homestead exemption (owners 65 and older) (Colorado General Assembly (Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 39))

Exemptions and deadlines in Colorado

Flood risk in Jefferson County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Jefferson County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
0.9%
1,778
Of those, with NFIP insurance
41%
County Colorado U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 0.9% 1.1% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 41% 24% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Golden

Typical rent in Golden is $1,953 a month: 5% above the county. In Golden, 51% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Jefferson County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($2,169 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $41.71 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Jefferson County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,751 $33.67 $70,040
1 bedroom $1,831 $35.21 $73,240
2 bedrooms $2,169 $41.71 $86,760
3 bedrooms $2,846 $54.73 $113,840
4 bedrooms $3,183 $61.21 $127,320

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 Golden

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Golden has 3 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $2,140 in 80419 to $2,460 in 80403.

2 of the 3 are above the fair market rent for Jefferson County ($2,169).

  • 80401 $2,190$2,870
  • 80403 $2,460$3,230
  • 80419 $2,140$2,810

2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Golden 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 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Golden

HUD lists 4 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Golden. These are the largest.

  • Golden Pointe 17400 W 10th Ave, Golden 80401 56 homes, 54 low-income · 1 bd: 21 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 21 · In service since 2010 · For families
  • Canyon Gate Apts 1411 8th St, Golden 80401 53 low-income homes · For older adults (303) 278-4238
  • Canyon Point Cottages 303 Jackson Dr, Golden 80403 196 homes, 50 low-income · 1 bd: 81 · 2 bd: 80 · 3 bd: 35 · In service since 1996
  • Lewis Court Apts 2200 Jackson St, Golden 80401 50 low-income homes · 1 bd: 30 · 2 bd: 20 · In service since 2012 · For older adults

See all 61 buildings in Jefferson County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Golden

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 Jefferson County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.

A man leans over the armchair where a girl is reading a book.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Golden

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Golden or Jefferson County. The ones below are statewide in Colorado: they work in Golden the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Colorado

  • CHFA Down Payment Assistance

    Statewide in Colorado

    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).

    GrantDeferred

    See the program Official page

  • CHFA FirstGeneration

    Statewide in Colorado

    Open, per the source

    $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).

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Golden

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Golden, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Brothers Redevelopment, Inc.

    2250 Eaton St Ste B, Edgewater · 8 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (303) 202-6340

  • Southwest Improvement Council

    5045 W 1st Ave, Denver · 9 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 4 more
    (303) 934-0923

  • Denver Housing Authority

    3550 W 13th Ave, Denver · 9 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 4 more
    (720) 956-3806

Every agency in Jefferson County All counseling agencies in Colorado

Help in Spanish near Golden

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Golden

HUD’s record names them for Golden or Jefferson County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Jefferson County Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (303) 422-8600

2 other authorities have an office in Jefferson County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Jefferson County

These cities are also in Jefferson County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Jefferson County Housing in Colorado

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Golden, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Jefferson County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Golden.

All guides
A family roasts marshmallows over a campfire at a forest campsite.

Questions

Housing questions about Golden

Short answers with the numbers for Golden and all of Jefferson 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 Golden?

The typical home value in Golden is $837,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Jefferson County it is $637,600.

How much does it cost to rent in Golden?

Typical rent in Golden is $1,953 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Jefferson County is $2,169.

What is the FHA loan limit in Golden?

Golden uses the FHA limit for all of Jefferson County (2026): $862,500 for a one-unit home and $1,658,700 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Golden?

The typical homeowner in Golden pays $3,811 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.45% of the home’s value; in Jefferson County, the rate is 0.48%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Golden?

There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Jefferson County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).