Americans love Colorado! And why wouldn’t you? From a top-rated college town to a thriving art culture, the Sunflower State has got it all.
The median home value for Colorado is $600,000. The state scores 77/100 in quality of life. For a rich cultural experience, Denver, and Boulder are some of the best places to live.
People are attracted to move here because of the expanding economy, accessible housing, and high-quality education. Let’s explore the best places to live in Colorado.
Best Places to Live in Colorado in 2024
Here’s our ranking of the top areas in Colorado to live in. We’ve considered the community well-being score, median home price, monthly expenses, and the population of the cities.
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Denver | 716,577 | $575,000 | $10,591 | 70/100 |
| 2. | Aurora | 395,052 | $470,000 | $10,591 | 70/100 |
| 3. | Boulder | 105,898 | $970,000 | $11,231 | 74/100 |
| 4. | Fort Collins | 170,376 | $551,500 | $10,343 | 64/100 |
| 5. | Colorado Springs | 488,664 | $440,000 | $9,865 | 60/100 |
| 6. | Greeley | 112,609 | $399,950 | $8,810 | 58/100 |
| 7. | Pueblo | 111,077 | $260,000 | $8,036 | 48/100 |
7 Best Places to Live in Colorado
Here’s our list of the top 7 cities that offer comfortable living options in the Centennial State:
1. Denver: One of the Best Places to Live for Students in CO
| Home Value | ⬇️ 0.0% |
| Median Income | $85,853 |
| Monthly Expenses | $10,591 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 70/100 |
Denver is one of the biggest cities in Colorado and is surrounded by the beautiful Rocky Mountains. The median home price in this city is $549,915, which is 4% higher than the state average.
In addition, the city boasts various renowned institutions such as the University of Denver. Also, the city has a job market. This makes it an ideal place for students and young professionals. The city also has numerous tourist spots such as the Denver Art Museum, the Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, and the Denver Botanic Gardens.
» Homes For Sale in Denver, CO: Browse through thousands of listings in Denver city.
2. Aurora: One of the Largest Cities in Colorado
| Home Value | ⬆️ 1.1% |
| Median Income | $78,685 |
| Monthly Expenses | $10,591 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 70/100 |
Aurora is the 3rd largest Colorado city and is one of the best places in Colorado. The median home price in this city is $466,500. The cost of living is just 4% higher than the national average. Moreover, the utility costs in the city are 13% less than the national average.
This city also has access to quality education, low crime rates, family-friendly neighborhoods, and liberal views. Aurora boasts a dynamic and lively arts and culture scene. Apart from this, the city has 103 parks. The city also has popular attractions such as Arapahoe Park, which hosts live horse racing during the summer months.
» Homes For Sale in Aurora, CO: Discover what’s best for you in this city.
3. Boulder: One of the Major Cities yo Live in Colorado
| Home Value | ⬇️ 0.6% |
| Median Income | $80,243 |
| Monthly Expenses | $11,231 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 74/100 |
The median home price in Boulder is $958,651, and the cost of living is 41.3% higher than the national average. Although the city is quite expensive it is one of the safest cities to live in Colorado. The crime rate in the city is 9.2% less than the national average.
The city is home to the University of Colorado Boulder, one of the largest universities in the state. Boulder is also a hot spot for outdoor enthusiasts. Apart from this, the city is also famous for its food and drink, with a wide variety of restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops.
» Homes For Sale in Boulder, CO: Find your ideal home in one of the best cities to live in Colorado.
4. Fort Collins: Best Place to Live in CO for Young Adults
| Home Value | ⬆️ 0.6% |
| Median Income | $78,977 |
| Monthly Expenses | $10,343 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 64/100 |
Fort Collins is located in North Central Colorado. The median home price in this city is $526,250. The cost of living in this city is 15.7% higher than the national average. However, this city has excellent schools like Liberty Common Charter School and Ridgeview Classical Charter School.
Fort Collins is also known famously for its craft beers. Apart from this, the city has an excellent air quality index of 74/100. The city is home to major corporations such as UCHealth and Broadcom. This makes it one of the best places to live in Colorado for young adults.
» Homes For Sale in Fort Collins, CO: Find your dream home in Fort Collins.
5. Colorado Springs: Second Largest City in CO
| Home Value | ⬆️ 0.4% |
| Median Income | $79,026 |
| Monthly Expenses | $9,865 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 60/100 |
Colorado Springs is one of the best cities to live in the state. The city offers housing with a median home price of $441,529, and the cost of living is 8% higher than the national average.
The city is home to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and is known as Olympic City USA. Apart from this, there are two major hospital systems in the city such as UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central and Penrose-St. Francis Health Services.
» Homes For Sale in Colorado Springs, CO: Discover your ideal residence.
6. Greeley: Best Place for Retirees
| Home Value | ⬇️ 0.2% |
| Median Income | $65,525 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,810 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 58/100 |
Greeley is located in the northern part of Colorado. The city is home to numerous schools, one of which is Union Colony Preparatory School. The median home value for Greeley is $408,687. The city is quiet and ideal for retirees and families. You can enjoy activities such as hiking, shopping for antiques, visiting museums, etc.
Agriculture and manufacturing are the two top-growing sectors in the city. Greeley is renowned for its music and theatre culture along with its multi-cuisine restaurants. Apart from this, The city has excellent medical clinics and hospitals such as North Colorado Medical Center and the UCHealth Greeley Medical Clinic.
» Homes For Sale in Greeley, CO: Find a home in one of the best neighborhoods in Colorado.
7. Pueblo: Best Places to Live in Colorado for Families
| Home Value | ⬇️ 1.6% |
| Median Income | $52,794 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,036 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 48/100 |
Pueblo is one of the best cities in Colorado to live in. The median home price in Pueblo is $280,683. The cost of living is 2% lower than the national average. The city is also known as “Steel City” because of its mass steel production.
The city has two of the major contributors to the local economy in the town are Colorado State University Pueblo and Parkview Medical Center. Apart from this, the city is surrounded with lakes, playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports fields. It is also home to the Pueblo Zoo making it one of the best places to live in Colorado for families.
» Homes For Sale in Pueblo, CO: Get yourself a home in the best areas in Colorado to live.
Is Colorado the Right Place for Your Next Move?
Colorado is one of the best places to live in the US due to its tax benefits. The state charges fixed income tax on its citizens. Moreover, it has a booming job market and education system.
Colorado’s current population is 5 million, and it’s projected to increase by 7.5 million by 2050. Moreover, the Centennial State is ranked as the 4th in terms of education quality.
With the current low mortgage rate of 6.25%, there is an increase in the home-buying demand in Colorado. Get a mortgage pre-approval to make sure your offer stands out from the competition.
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Research Methodology
We considered different regions to rank the best places in Colorado. The comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Colorado and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Colorado Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[6]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado a good place to live?
Yes, Colorado is a best place to live due to its stunning scenery, outdoor recreational opportunities, and vibrant cities. It also has strong economy and excellent job opportunities.
Is Colorado Springs a good place to live?
Yes,Colorado Springs is a good place to live with affordable housing and a high quality of life. The city is known as Olympic City of USA. Outdoor enthusiasts should check out Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods, some of the host spots in the city.
Which is the cheapest place to live in Colorado?
With a cost of living 27.8% which is below the national average, La Junta is the cheapest place to live in Colorado.
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