Best Affordable Places to Live in Colorado in 2024

Photo credit: iStock/Jacob Boomsma

Home to the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs is Colorado’s 2nd most populous city behind Denver. Nestled at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains, you’ll have easy access to Pikes Peak and the remarkable natural setting known as the Garden of the Gods. You’ll also enjoy the Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off, an annual hot air balloon festival hosted in the city’s Memorial Park. Some stats to review:

Photo credit: iStock/Wirestock

Home to Colorado State University, Fort Collins has a lot of the charm of a college town with amenities of a larger city. The Old Town historic district features a vintage trolley as well as houses dating back to the 1800s. If you’re looking to explore the great outdoors, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space is nearby, featuring the distinctive Horsetooth Rock formation and Horsetooth Falls. While it can be pricey to own a home here, renting is more affordable for those who want to experience all Fort Collins has to offer.

Photo credit: Flickr/Jeffrey Beall , Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic

Another of the best affordable places to live in Colorado: Sterling, which is the largest city and county seat of Logan County in the state’s northeastern corner. You can visit the Overland Trail Museum, which commemorates the western migration of gold miners and early pioneers. North Sterling Reservoir State Park sits along the South Platte River just north of town.

Photo credit: iStock/milehightraveler

Pueblo sits at the confluence of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, about 100 miles south of Denver. The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk sits in downtown, commemorating the former course of the river before its course was altered after a major flood in 1921. There’s a thriving food scene and, as you might expect, plenty of outdoor activities.

Photo credit: iStock/SWKrullImaging

Littleton is a suburb of Denver that is located in three different counties — Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson, though it is the county seat of Arapahoe County. The city dates back to the 1859 Pike’s Peak Gold Rush when miners and others first came to the area. Roxborough State Park and Chatfield State Park are two nearby options for nature lovers. There are also an array of restaurants and coffee shops, giving the town an urban-meets-suburban feel.

Federal Heights is a city in Adams County, on the north side of the Denver metropolitan area. Families make up 65% of the population. Residents can visit Water World, one of the country’s largest water parks as well as the Westminster Castle, in addition to all of the amenities that come with being part of Colorado’s largest metro area.

Photo credit: iStock/Wirestock

Greeley is the largest city and county seat of Weld County, to the north of the Denver area and near Fort Collins. The city is named after Horace Greeley, who popularized the phrase “Go West, young man”. Approximately two-thirds of households in Greeley are families, who can enjoy cultural activities, like those found at the Union Colony Civic Center, which is one of the largest performing arts venues in Colorado.

Photo credit: iStock/Cavan Images

Making its second appearance on this list, Littleton is the county seat of Arapahoe County, on the southern edge of the Denver metropolitan area. Local families appreciate its outstanding school district. Outdoors lovers can take advantage of the Chatfield Reservoir and South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center, not to mention the Rocky Mountains not far away.

Centennial is another city in the Denver metropolitan area. It’s a fairly dense suburban area, with plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants for families to visit. Parents will like its highly rated public school system. It also boasts the multi-acre Centennial Center Park, where kids and parents alike can enjoy the fresh air Colorado is famous for.

Photo credit: iStock/dlewis33

Located in the northwestern suburbs of Denver, Arvada is another large city in the Denver metropolitan area. Arvada is the seventh most populous city in all of Colorado, and sits nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Both the Colorado Railroad Museum and Eldorado Canyon State Park are located in Arvada.

Photo credit: iStock/SWKrullImaging

Castle Rock is the largest city in and the county seat of Douglas County, located on Interstate 25 between Denver and Colorado Springs. Because of its central location, residents and visitors can take part in all of the amenities of both Colorado Springs and Denver. That can spell job opportunities as well as all kinds of fun experiences to savor.

Photo credit: iStock/sboice

In 2001, after years of annexations had stretched the city of Broomfield across four different Colorado counties (Adams, Boulder, Jefferson, and Weld), the citizens of Broomfield became Colorado’s newest and smallest county. The hybrid city-county government allows better coordination of city services, and the newness of the area can mean career opportunity.

Photo credit: iStock/SeanXu

Another great place to live in Colorado in the Denver metro area is Arvada. Arvada is located in northwestern Denver and backs up to the foothills of the Rockies. It’s among the best affordable places to live in Colorado for young professionals thanks to its recreation and arts and culture options. Check out the historic Olde Town Arvada, or visit The Cussler Museum, the Arvada Center for Arts and Humanities, or Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge.

Photo credit: Flickr/Kevin Ekmark , Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

Highlands Ranch is a census-designated place in the southwestern suburbs of the Denver metropolitan area. It’s highly rated for job opportunities and growth, and residents say there are plenty of trails, cafes, and nightlife to keep them happy.

Photo credit: iStock/DenisTangneyJr

Home to the University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder is the eponymous county seat of Boulder County, located about 25 miles northwest of Denver. It has excellent employment opportunities, with the university being one of the city’s largest employers. Boulder also features a vibrant and eclectic nightlife, including dance clubs, bars, and breweries.The Pearl Street Pedestrian Mall located in Downtown Boulder is a common attraction, along with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra and Boulder Canyon.

Photo credit: iStock/BOB WESTON

Yes, Littleton is on the list again. Another suburb of Denver, Littleton sits along the South Platte River, near Cooley Lake and the Chatfield Reservoir. Littleton is only a few miles east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, providing plenty of opportunities for hikes and mountain vistas. It also features the Centennial at Riverwalk 55+ active adult community and easy access to all of the urban offerings and healthcare resources in the Denver metro area.

Photo credit: iStock/Ischell Laxton

More than one out of four residents of Montrose is age 65 or older. The eponymous county seat of Montrose County, the city of Montrose lies in southwestern Colorado. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is just to the east of town, and you can also visit the Montrose Botanic Gardens or the Museum of the Mountain West. The town also is recommended as a good place to retire thanks to such factors as its access to healthcare and attractions, as well as its excellent farmers markets.

Photo credit: iStock/welcomia

Estes Park is a town in northern Colorado, perhaps best known as the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. In addition to the hiking and skiing that is available nearby, you can also take the Estes Park Aerial Tramway from town up to the top of Prospect Mountain, providing a breathtaking mountain vista. After spending time in nature, there are a good number of restaurants and coffee shops to try.

Photo credit: iStock/Natalie Ruffing

One of the few cities in the country that officially have a tilde over the N, Cañon City is typically pronounced “canyon”, which makes sense given its proximity to the Royal Gorge, a large canyon on the Arkansas River. Cañon City which sits southwest of Colorado Springs at the base of the Rocky Mountains, hosts numerous festivals during the year, making it an exciting home base for retirement. Also, the Cañon City Downtown Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and can be fun to explore.

Photo credit: iStock/milehightraveler

An inner-ring suburb of Denver, Englewood is located directly south of Denver, which makes it convenient to access all of the amenities of its larger neighbor. Within Englewood, you can hike along the South Platte River Trail or Bear Creek Trail, or visit the free Museum of Outdoor Arts.

Photo credit: iStock/DutcherAerials

Grand Junction is known for its splendid location and outdoor activities. There are rivers for fishing, kayaking, and rafting, plus amazing cliffs and mountains to explore. There’s the Colorado Monument as well as the Grand Mesa nearby. Since it’s a college town, Grand Junction also offers an array of restaurants, concerts, and other fun activities.

Photo credit: iStock/mdesigner125

Gunnison is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Colorado. Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest lake in Colorado, lies just to the west of town, a part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area. There is lots to do outdoors in Gunnison, including hiking, fishing, biking and whitewater rafting.

Photo credit: iStock/spates

Leadville is the largest city and county seat of Lake County, located squarely in the Rocky Mountains. Leadville is situated at an elevation of 10,158 feet, meaning you’ll want to make sure that you have adjusted to the altitude. Downtown Leadville is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and you’ll also have easy access to Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, the two tallest mountains in Colorado.

Photo credit: iStock/Missing35mm

As its name might suggest, the town of Silverton has its roots in the silver mining rush of the late 19th century. Located in a remote part of the San Juan Mountains (a range of the Rocky Mountains), you can ride the historic Durango and Silverton Train, one of the most famous narrow-gauge railroads in the country. Visitors also can check out the One Hundred Gold Mine Tour, and of course, plenty of skiing.

Photo credit: iStock/John Webb

Montrose hits this list again, this time as an affordable mountain town. This historic town is located on the western side of the Rocky Mountains, and it has won honors as a top town for outdoor activities. Hiking, rafting, rock climbing, snowmobiling, and fishing are among the options.