Colorado, the ‘Colorful State’ as it’s known in Spanish, lives truly up to its name. From the tallest peak in the continental U.S. to 188,000+ job openings, Colorado is a place where adventure and opportunity await you!
The median home value for Colorado is $625,700, and the state scored 77/100 on the quality of life index. A thriving economy, a fusion of Spanish-American culture, and a good lifestyle draw people to Colorado. Let’s explore the best places to live in Colorado in great detail.
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What Are the Best Places to Live in Colorado?
| # City | Weighted Average Scores | Median House Price | Median Income | Cost of Living ⬆️/⬇️ | Community Wellbeing | Crime Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Pueblo | 51.31 | $252,000.00 | $52,794.00 | 5.1% ⬇️ | 48 | 0 |
| 2. Denver | 50.54 | $585,000.00 | $85,853.00 | 19.6% ⬆️ | 75 | 1 |
| 3. Loveland | 49.94 | $484,950.00 | $81,898.00 | 18.2% ⬆️ | 64 | 11 |
| 4. Littleton | 46.03 | $610,000.00 | $90,273.00 | 19.5% ⬆️ | 70 | 7 |
| 5. Aurora | 45.50 | $485,000.00 | $78,685.00 | 19.5% ⬆️ | 70 | 2 |
| 6. Fort Collins | 44.14 | $550,000.00 | $78,977.00 | 18.3% ⬆️ | 64 | 9 |
| 7. Grand Junction | 43.27 | $416,495.00 | $62,993.00 | 32.9% ⬆️ | 54 | 7 |
| 8. Greeley | 43.03 | $419,500.00 | $65,525.00 | 21.7% ⬆️ | 58 | 6 |
| 9. Longmont | 42.56 | $550,000.00 | $89,720.00 | 36.3% ⬆️ | 74 | 8 |
| 10. Louisville | 40.00 | $910,000.00 | $135,840.00 | 36.6% ⬆️ | 74 | 14 |
*These cities are ranked based on 8 major parameters.
10 Best Places to Live in Colorado 🏡
#1. Pueblo
- Median House Price: $252K
- Cost of Living: 5.1% ⬇️ than the national average.
- Crime Score: safer than 0 % of U.S. cities.
- Unemployment: 6.6%
- Walkability Score: 37; car-dependent city.
With over 300 sunny days a year, Pueblo offers an outdoorsy lifestyle. The city’s popular Lake Pueblo State Park is a water sports haven. Meanwhile, downtown comes lively with shops and restaurants that serve delicious Mexican, Italian, and American food.
Moreover, the city hosts events like the Colorado State Fair which features rodeos, concerts, and exhibitions. Cheap housing and low cost of living make it ideal for retirees who seek affordable and relaxed living.
» Pueblo Homes for Sale: Explore homes in one of the best places to live in Colorado.
#2. Denver
- Median House Price: $585K
- Cost of Living: 19.6% ⬆️ than the national average.
- Crime Score: Safer than 1% of U.S. cities.
- Unemployment: 4.7%
- Walkability Score: 96; walker’s paradise.
Denver is known as ‘Mile High City’ due to its 1-mile elevation above sea level. It is home to the University of Denver and teams like the Broncos (NFL), and Rockies (MLB). Moreover, Denver is known for its craft beers with over 150 breweries around the city.
The Denver Film Festival and the Great American Beer Festival are also popular local events. Healthcare employs 12% of the residents and is the largest sector locally. Vibrant entertainment and sports make it one of the best cities to live in Colorado.
» Denver Homes for Sale: Find best properties in Denver, Colorado.
#3. Loveland
- Median House Price: $485K
- Cost of Living: 18.2% ⬆️ than the national average.
- Crime Score: Safer than 11% of U.S. cities.
- Unemployment: 4.40%
- Walkability Score: 69; very walkable.
Nestled in the foothills of the Rockies, Loveland is popular among local hikers and rock climbers. Also, the downtown is bustling with shops and renowned restaurants like Henry’s Pub and Black Steer These offer authentic American culinary experiences.
Loveland is also known for its art and hosts the ‘Sculpture in the Park’ show, which is a nationwide famous art event. Affordable housing combined with a lot of recreational activities makes it one of the most affordable places to live in Colorado for retirees.
» Loveland Homes for Sale: Explore homes in one of the best places to move in Colorado.
#4. Littleton
- Median House Price: $610K
- Cost of Living: 19.5% ⬆️ than the national average.
- Crime Score: Safer than 7% of U.S. cities.
- Unemployment: 3.90%
- Walkability Score: 78; very walkable.
Littleton, located just 11 miles from Denver, blends suburban living with great job opportunities. It is an outdoor haven with 200 miles of trails and over 1400 acres of parks. Additionally, The Littleton Symphony Orchestra offers live performances.
Moreover, the city hosts ‘Western Welcome Week’, a 10-day annual celebration with parrade, food, and community events. Retail is the largest sector with around 12.9% of residents employed. These factors make Littleton ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
» Littleton Homes for Sale: Find your home in one of the best cities in Colorado.
#5. Aurora
- Median House Price: $485K
- Cost of Living: 19.5% ⬆️ than the national average.
- Crime Score: Safer than 2% of U.S. cities.
- Unemployment: 5.5%
- Walkability Score: 43; car-dependent city.
Aurora is home to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The city is known for its diverse cuisine and bustling marketplaces like Havana Street. Moreover, you can enjoy 8,000 acres of parks and open space areas, best for recreational activities.
Healthcare is the largest sector with 12.4% of the locals employed, followed by the retail and hospitality sectors. With its college-town vibe and moderate housing cost, it is one of the best places to live in Colorado for young professionals.
» Aurora Homes for Sale: Look for properties in one of the best cities in CO.
#6. Fort Collins
- Median House Price: $550K
- Cost of Living: 18.3% ⬆️ than the national average.
- Crime Score: Safer than 9% of U.S. cities.
- Unemployment: 5.3%
- Walkability Score: 66; somewhat walkable.
Fort Collins is often referred to as ‘The Choice City’, due to its good quality of life. With its 96 parks and 409 miles of trails, the outdoors is always few steps away from you. Moreover, the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra frequently performs live in the city.
Education is the largest with over 16% of the residents employed. The Poudre School District (PSD) is the largest locally and offers exceptional educational infrastructure, with over 30,000 active students. These factors make the city ideal for families.
» Fort Collins Homes for Sale: Explore homes in one of the best towns to live in Colorado.
#7. Grand Junction
- Median House Price: $ 416K
- Cost of Living: 32.9% ⬆️ than the national average.
- Crime Score: Safer than 7% of U.S. cities.
- Unemployment: 4.70%
- Walkability Score: 32; car-dependent city.
Grand Junction blends small-town charm with an urban living experience. The Redlands Mesa Golf Course is one of the most famous golf courses in the city. Apart from this, the city downtown is full of several farms-to-table restaurants and wineries.
The city also has 277 physicians per 100,000 population, which is way above the US average of 210. This shows the city has a robust healthcare system. Accessible healthcare along with low housing costs makes it one of the best cities to live in Colorado for retirees.
» Grand Junction Homes for Sale: Look for properties in one of the best places to retire in Colorado.
#8. Greeley
- Median House Price: $ 419K
- Cost of Living: 21.7% ⬆️ than the national average.
- Crime Score: Safer than 6% of U.S. cities.
- Unemployment: 5.6%
- Walkability Score: 39; car-dependent city.
Greeley is an agricultural town and offers hiking and camping experiences along the Poudre River Trail. It is also home to Union Colony Civic Center, one of Colorado’s largest performing arts venues. It frequently hosts concerts and live performances.
The city has a relaxing atmosphere and healthcare costs are 4% lower than the country average. Which makes it one of the best places to live in Colorado for retirees, who seek small-town relaxed living.
» Greeley Homes for Sale: Find a house in one of the best towns in Colorado.
#9. Longmont
- Median House Price: $550K
- Cost of Living: 36.3% ⬆️ than the national average.
- Crime Score: Safer than 8% of U.S. cities.
- Unemployment: 4.10%
- Walkability Score: 87; very walkable.
Longmont is famous for its craft breweries and farm-to-table culinary culture. The city’s Union Reservoir is a go-to spot for residents to enjoy water sports with families. The St. Vrain Greenway is also known for outdoor and picnics amid stunning landscapes.
The manufacturing sector employs over 14% of the residents, followed by the healthcare and retail sectors. Longmont’s cheaper housing compared to the State average and good walkability score makes it perfect for single families.
» Longmont Homes for Sale: Explore homes in one of the best places to move in Colorado.
#10. Louisville
- Median House Price: $910K
- Cost of Living: 36.6% ⬆️ than the national average.
- Crime Score: Safer than 14% of U.S. cities.
- Unemployment: 3.2%
- Walkability Score: 42; car-dependent city.
The city combines small-town living with easy access to Boulder and Denver, a few minutes away. You can also have rich culinary experiences in downtown Louisville at bars like 740 Front, one of Colorado’s oldest.
Louisville also hosts many family-friendly events, which includes the popular Fall Festival. Most residents have a higher median income than the state average, which makes it one of the best places to live in Colorado for families.
» Louisville Homes for Sale: Look for homes in one of the best towns to live in Colorado.
Best Places to Live in Colorado Based on Demographics
We have taken the ranking process one step forward and ranked the best cities based on the different age groups as shown in the following table:
| Demographic | 1🥇 | 2🥈 | 3🥉 |
| Single Families | Longmont | Louisville | Fort Collins |
| Young Professionals | Denver | Littleton | Aurora |
| Retirees | Pueblo | Grand Junction | Greeley |
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Is Colorado a Good Place to Live for You?
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. Despite the cost of living in Colorado being 5% high, it has a booming job market and education system.
Colorado’s current population is 5.9 million, and it’s projected to increase to 7.5 million by 2050. Moreover, the Centennial State is ranked as the 4th in terms of education quality.
Browse Homes for Sale in Colorado by Price and Type
Research Methodology for the Best Places to Live in Colorado
This study ranks cities using a weighted average scoring model based on eight parameters:
- Median House Price: Redfin[1]
- Population: Zipatlas[2]
- Median Income: Zipatlas[3]
- Expenses: Zipatlas[4]
- Unemployment Rate: Zipatlas[5]
- Cost of Living: Rentcafe[6]
- Community Well-Being: Sharecare[7]
- Crime Index Score: Neighborhoodscout[8]
The total score for each city combines a weighted score for its rank. Here’s the weightage: population (10%), home price (20%), income (20%), expenses (15%), unemployment (15%), cost of living (10%), crime index (5%), and well-being (5%).
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in Colorado for varying demographics. These include the best places to live in Colorado for families, young adults, and retirees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What city is best for low income seniors?
Pueblo is one of the best places to live in Colorado for seniours with low income.
What is the best place to raise a family in Colorado?
Longmont is one of the best places to live in Colorado due to its moderate crime rates and a good walkability score.
What is the most affordable city to live in Colorado?
Grand Junctionis one of the most affordable places to live in Colorado on this list. however La Junta is one of the cheapest places to live in Colorado due to its $162,619 housing cost.
