In case you’re planning on transferring to Colorado, add these cities to your checklist.
Colorado is a mecca for tall mountains, excessive prairies, considerable out of doors recreation, and a broadly different local weather. Throughout its 5 distinct areas (all above 3,000 ft), the state gives a mixture of historical past, appeal, and journey, making it an important place to name house. Persons are benefiting from this, too; Colorado’s inhabitants grew by practically 15% from 2010 to 2020 – virtually twice the nationwide fee.
Pure alpine magnificence is one in every of Colorado’s defining options. The Rocky Mountains dominate most of Western Colorado, with 58 mountain peaks rising above 14,000 ft (generally known as fourteeners). Deserts, basins, canyons, and the headwaters of enormous rivers additionally dot the west. Jap Colorado is sort of fully house to excessive plains.
Colorado’s local weather is outlined by extremes. A dry, alpine surroundings permits for big temperature swings between summer time and winter and day and evening. Actually, the vary between the state’s highest and lowest recorded temperatures is 176°F. As such, it’s frequent for a snowy day to be adopted by a 60°F day after which again once more. Summer time thunderstorms and hail are frequent within the west, whereas tornadoes can happen within the east.
Round 85% of Colorado’s inhabitants lives simply east of the Continental Divide throughout the Entrance Vary City Hall, which roughly stretches from Fort Collins to Pueblo. Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs are positioned right here.
Given this range in each panorama and life-style, it’s no shock that individuals are drawn to all corners of the state. However which Colorado cities really rise above the remainder? On this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered one of the best locations to reside in Colorado, rating them on qualities corresponding to affordability, navigability, and variety of facilities. You’ll find extra details about our methodology right here or on the backside of the article.
One of the best locations to reside in Colorado
Fort Collins, CO
Denver, CO
Boulder, CO
Wheat Ridge, CO
Longmont, CO
Colorado Springs, CO
Englewood, CO
Arvada, CO
Loveland, CO
Centennial, CO
1. Fort Collins, CO
Inhabitants:170,376Median Sale Worth:$565,000Median Hire Worth:$1,795Average Commute Time:20 minutesUnemployment Fee:4.2%
Fort Collins tops our checklist as one of the best place to reside in Colorado. Fort Collins (FoCo or Alternative Metropolis to locals) seamlessly mixes historical past, schooling, recreation, and big-city facilities, all inside a navigable structure. This, mixed with its relative affordability, helped the town earn prime marks. Colorado State College has a campus within the metropolis as effectively, giving a vibrant power to the world. Fort Collins is a bit slower-paced than Denver and Boulder, although.
Fort Collins is located on the Cache La Poudre River alongside the Entrance Vary, with tall, jagged mountains virtually in its yard. Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park can also be simply 35 miles west, house to Longs Peak, the closest 14er. Inside the metropolis, Horsetooth Mountain Open Area is a well-liked choice for day hikes, whereas huge parks, many lakes, and lengthy trails are dotted all through the world.
One of many metropolis’s main sights is its historic downtown, Previous City Fort Collins, which has every thing you want packaged inside only a few blocks. The neighborhood has over twenty restored historic buildings, European-style walkways lined with flowers and Tivoli lights, and area for out of doors live shows on the Previous City Sq.. Over 84 eating places and a lot of the metropolis’s 21 craft breweries are positioned within the space, too.
Public transportation can also be pretty strong for a metropolis of its dimension, with 21 native bus routes and three regional routes. This, paired with nice bikeability, makes getting round a breeze.
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2. Denver, CO
Inhabitants:716,577Median Sale Worth:$595,000Median Hire Worth:$1,902Average Commute Time:25.4 minutesUnemployment Fee:3.1%
Denver, the biggest metropolis and capital of Colorado, is second on our checklist of one of the best locations to reside in Colorado. Initially an Previous West metropolis, Denver is a hub of historical past, tradition, out of doors recreation, and innovation. The town’s sunny local weather (although not 300 days), pure magnificence, and nice facilities have helped it change into a preferred nationwide hub. The Denver Nuggets, Denver Broncos, and Colorado Rockies maintain native sports activities followers pleased, too.
Nestled on the base of the Rockies, a mile above sea stage, Denver provides unparalleled entry to the outside. From snowboarding and snowboarding at close by resorts like Vail and Aspen within the winter, to mountaineering and mountain biking in the summertime, out of doors fanatics have all of it only a quick drive from downtown. Moreover, Denver’s intensive community of parks, trails, and inexperienced areas permits for simple adventures. Sloans Lake Park and the South Platte River Path are in style choices.
Denver can also be very simple to navigate with out a automobile. Served by RTD Denver, there’s bus and lightweight rail service all through the metropolitan space, working seamlessly with the world’s already walkable and bikeable structure. Moreover, Amtrak’s in-progress Entrance Vary Passenger Rail is meant to assist join all the Entrance Vary Hall, additional enhancing mobility.
Denver’s local weather is dry and sunny, with sizzling summers and snowy winters. Its excessive elevation helps maintain temperatures comparatively cool year-round, too. Wildfire dangers are a rising concern, nonetheless.
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3. Boulder, CO
Inhabitants:105,898Median Sale Worth:$726,000Median Hire Worth:$2,376Average Commute Time:19 minutesUnemployment Fee:3.6%
Regularly rated the happiest and fittest metropolis within the nation, and residential to a big college and an abundance of pure product corporations, Boulder has loads going for it. That stated, Boulder is pricey, with median home costs practically double that of Denver. A couple of third of the town’s inhabitants (~37,000) are college students on the College of Colorado Boulder.
Boulder is a historic metropolis that has been by means of large progress and alter over the previous century. A preferred option to expertise the town’s historical past is by strolling across the historic downtown and visiting one of many 1,000 companies on the Pearl Avenue Mall. Whereas many traditional companies are gone, you possibly can nonetheless go to some gems, together with Dot’s Diner, Walnut Cafe, and the Outback Saloon. Elsewhere, you’ll discover an enormous number of craft and micro breweries, small eating places, and native outlets.
A defining attribute of Boulder is that its residents are obsessive about the outside. On the doorstep of the Flatirons, the town is house to actually a whole lot of trails, parks, open areas, rivers, hills, and extra. You’ll be able to tube Boulder Creek, cling within the solar at Eben G Nice Park, hike to the highest of Chautauqua State Park to see an out of doors live performance, or climb at Boulder Canyon.
Lastly, Boulder sees a exceptional quantity of snow yearly – practically twice as a lot as Denver. That is because of its favorable location nestled within the Rockies. Snow can fall as early as September and as late as June in Boulder, though the season is shrinking.
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4. Wheat Ridge, CO
Inhabitants:31,804Median Sale Worth:$625,000Median Hire Worth:$1,609Average Commute Time:23.9 minutesUnemployment Fee:3.1%
Subsequent on our checklist is Wheat Ridge, a small Denver suburb identified for its agricultural historical past and mountain views. It’s positioned between Edgewater and Golden within the foothills of the Rockies. Loads of facilities, a excessive per-capita revenue, and quick access to the outside helped Wheat Ridge declare the quantity 4 spot on the checklist. Public transportation can also be sufficient, with RTD-Denver offering mild rail service by way of the G Line.
Wheat Ridge was beforehand the biggest producer of carnation flowers on this planet, which helped it earn the nickname “Carnation City.” These days, it’s primarily a suburban city with a really perfect location between Denver and the mountains. A number of the hottest spots in Wheat Ridge embrace Mr. Biscuits, Heinie’s Market, and Belfiore Italian deli.
One other one of many highlights of the town is its out of doors recreation – primarily the Wheat Ridge Greenbelt, which runs adjoining to Clear Creek. The greenbelt incorporates a number of trails, lakes, and the biggest quantity of open area within the metropolis. The Clear Creek Path is the longest and runs from Golden by means of Wheat Ridge, with seven miles of paved path.
Greater than 20 parks dot the town’s panorama, with Crown Hill and Berkeley Lake among the many hottest. Wheat Ridge can also be filled with lakes and reservoirs created from reclaimed gravel mines, particularly as you get additional west. Tabor, Prospect, Bass, and West Lakes are all inside strolling distance to the west.
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5. Longmont, CO
Inhabitants:98,630Median Sale Worth:$540,000Median Hire Worth:$1,700Average Commute Time:25.4 minutesUnemployment Fee:3%
Situated midway between Denver and Fort Collins, Longmont is available in at quantity 5 on our checklist of one of the best locations to reside in Colorado. Longmont is understood for its craft breweries and agricultural previous, which you’ll study extra about on the Agricultural Heritage Middle. And most significantly, Longmont’s out of doors recreation is top-notch. Quite a lot of parks, trails, and open areas are woven amidst the town’s gridded structure, with the scenic St. Vrain Greenway, Golden Ponds Park, and Union Reservoir the most well-liked.
Longmont is comparatively flat in comparison with Denver and Boulder and extra faraway from the Rockies, however mountain escapes are nonetheless effectively inside an hour from city. Within the winter, Longmont sees the same quantity of snow as Denver and Fort Collins, averaging round 45 inches. Nevertheless, because of the area’s excessive elevation and coinciding robust solar, constant floor snow cowl is uncommon, with most snow melting in a day or two.
Annual occasions are in style within the space. Residents collect for occasions just like the Longmont Farmers Market, the Longmont ArtWalk, and the Longmont Oktoberfest to have a good time neighborhood and tradition. The town’s craft brewery scene additionally brings folks collectively, with native favorites like Left Hand Brewing Firm and Oskar Blues Brewery main the way in which.
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6. Colorado Springs, CO
Inhabitants:488,664Median Sale Worth:$458,000Median Hire Worth:$1,650Average Commute Time:22.8 minutesUnemployment Fee:3.7%
Coming in at quantity six is Colorado Springs, the second-largest metropolis within the state. Colorado Springs is known for its parks, historical past, and college-town vibe, providing a extra reasonably priced big-city life-style simply an hour from Denver. You’ll be able to uncover the area’s previous on the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum or Previous Colorado Metropolis, whereas the College of Colorado, Colorado Springs and 11 different schools present nationally-known schooling.
Colorado Springs is an athlete’s paradise. The Manitou Incline, a cable tram turned steep 2,744-stair climb, and Pikes Peak, with a well-known uphill/downhill marathon reaching an elevation of 14,115 ft, are particularly in style and simply exterior of city. The town isn’t any stranger to high-level athletes both, with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Coaching Middle within the heart of the town.
In case you’re searching for nightlife or issues to do on the weekends, you could run out of choices earlier than lengthy and wish to head north to Denver. Fortunately, you don’t even want a automobile to take action; the Bustang Categorical Bus Service provides routes to Denver, Fort Collins, and extra. In case you do wish to keep inside Colorado Springs, some in style night hotspots embrace Mansion, Gasoline Alley, and Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub. Public transportation throughout the metropolis is proscribed, although.
The realm’s local weather is much like Denver however usually hotter and drier. Winters are nonetheless normally snowy and summers are sunny and sizzling.
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7. Englewood, CO
Inhabitants:34,275Median Sale Worth:$595,000Median Hire Worth:$1,650Average Commute Time:23.1 minutesUnemployment Fee:2.7%
Like most cities within the area, Englewood’s beginnings may be traced to the 1800s gold rush. Located alongside the South Platte River, the town slowly grew till it linked with Denver, however all the time retained its small-town western really feel. Immediately, Englewood is a Denver suburb identified for its handy location, good high quality of life, and nice views.
Broadway is the oldest road within the metropolis and stays the primary thoroughfare, with all of the fixings you would need. The Gothic Theater, ZOMO, Moes, and The Brutal Poodle are native favorites for leisure and meals alongside Broadway. Two blocks from the road is CityCenter Englewood, one of many hubs of the town offering entry to facilities together with public transportation, eating, and inexperienced area.
Parks, golf programs and nation golf equipment are scattered all through the world, too. Harvard Gulch Park, Centennial Park, and Damaged Tee Golf Course are in style choices. Outside recreation isn’t exhausting to search out, both, with the South Platte River Path, Mary Carter Greenway Path, and Pirates Cove Water Park close by.
Importantly, public transportation is mostly accessible all through the town. Mild rail service to Denver is obtainable by way of the D-Line, whereas the Free Trolley provides 19 stops connecting the town, together with the sunshine rail station, many companies, and two medical services.
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8. Arvada, CO
Inhabitants:121,414Median Sale Worth:$667,000Median Hire Worth:$1,900Average Commute Time:26.2 minutesUnemployment Fee:2.8%
Simply north of Wheat Ridge however extending effectively into the Rockies, Arvada is the eighth metropolis on our checklist of one of the best locations to reside in Colorado. A suburb of Denver, Arvada was beforehand identified for its celery and gold, however is now house to very large open areas and golf programs, meandering creeks, and quick access to big-city facilities.
The town is in style amongst these seeking to be nearer to the mountains however inside a bigger metropolitan space. RTD-Denver’s G-line connects Arvada to Denver by way of mild rail, though sitting in visitors is frequent, particularly for commuters. Homes in Arvada are inclined to get costlier the additional west and nearer to the mountains you go.
Exploring the mountains is a well-liked pastime amongst locals. Simply exterior of city is White Ranch Park, with miles of trails and two campsites. And only some miles additional are dozens of smaller mountain peaks, most with trails and lovely vistas. Eldorado Canyon State Park is a very in style spot.
Inside metropolis limits, there’s much more to do. Renting a kayak or tenting at Standley Lake, assembly furry buddies on the huge Westminster Hills Canine Park, or operating alongside the Ralston Creek Path are a few of dozens of native out of doors sights. For these searching for nice meals and wealthy historical past, Olde City Arvada is the place to go. Inside this central hotspot, 12 Volt Tavern, Girl Nomada, and Bread Winner’s Cafe are three of dozens of eating places.
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9. Loveland, CO
Inhabitants:79,352Median Sale Worth:$499,000Median Hire Worth:$1,695Average Commute Time:25.6 minutesUnemployment Fee:2.8%
Nestled within the plains between Longmont and Fort Collins, Loveland is understood for its reasonably priced value of residing, small-city really feel, and close-knit neighborhood. Housing and rental costs are 12% and 14% decrease than Fort Collins, respectively.
Loveland’s topography is pretty flat: Inexperienced fields, patches of timber, and small lakes cowl the panorama till you hit the mountain foothills west of city, when timber change into denser. Just like Longmont, many mines are nonetheless in operation all through the world. Unsurprisingly, Loveland and surrounding cities have an industrial and agricultural historical past, and the scent of cow pastures might float in on the outskirts of the town.
Loveland is a close-knit metropolis filled with appeal and gatherings. Widespread occasions embrace the Sweetheart Pageant, Bluegrass & Brews Pageant, and Medieval Pageant, offering locations for locals and guests to get collectively. Many festivals are held downtown or at Fairground Park. Whereas nightlife and facilities are usually much less different than in Fort Collins and Denver, many individuals favor a slower tempo of life.
Just like most cities in Colorado, out of doors recreation is considerable in Loveland. Boyd Lake State Park, Lake Loveland, and Satan’s Spine Open Area present the widest array of leisure alternatives, whereas many lakes and smaller parks dot the panorama. Loveland can also be the closest giant metropolis to Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park.
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10. Centennial, CO
Inhabitants:106,883Median Sale Worth:$660,000Median Hire Worth:$2,400Average Commute Time:25.8 minutesUnemployment Fee:2.5%
A suburb of Denver half-hour southeast, Centennial is a reasonably upscale metropolis with excessive median sale and hire costs. The town may be very unfold out, too, so that you’ll probably want a automobile for errands.
Breweries are one of many largest attracts of the world, alongside quiet residential streets, giant housing heaps, and handy entry to Denver alongside the E and R mild rail traces. Resolute and Two22 are a number of the favourite breweries amongst locals. For individuals who need some meals to go together with their craft beer, Pollo Lima and Sukiya Ramen serve scrumptious international cuisines.
An awesome half about residing in Centennial is that it has big-city facilities with out the hustle and bustle. Loads of giant corporations have places of work in Centennial, together with Comcast, Nordstrom, and UnitedHealthcare, whereas many neighborhoods are constructed as developments surrounding a golf course or nation membership. The suburban metropolis is laid out on a grid, with many facilities alongside Arapahoe Highway.
Outside recreation is in style as effectively, in fact. Cherry Creek State Park is the biggest within the space, whereas Willow Spring Open Area, deKoevend Park, and the Willow Creek Path are different hotspots. Snowy winters are frequent and might flip parks right into a winter wonderland.
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Methodology
Redfin’s Greatest Locations to Stay rankings are supposed to assist house searchers make an knowledgeable choice when selecting the place to reside. To try to measure the general high quality of a metro space, every rating takes into consideration a number of key components, together with entry to healthcare, open out of doors area, navigability, housing traits, employment statistics, revenue, and journey time to work. Solely metros with a inhabitants of 20,000 or higher have been thought of for our Colorado checklist. Extra details about our methodology may be discovered right here.
Knowledge legitimate April 2025. This text is for informational and academic functions solely.
