Best Affordable Places to Live in Colorado in 2025

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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, who can also take advantage of the South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center, not to mention the Rocky Mountains, which aren’t far away. There are also an array of restaurants and coffee shops, giving the town an urban-meets-suburban feel.

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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.

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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 it was altered after a major flood in 1921. There’s a thriving food scene and, as you might expect, plenty of outdoor activities. The overall cost of living in Pueblo is also below average, which can make it an attractive place to live, especially if you compare the cost of living by state to other possibilities. This can also make taking out and qualifying for home mortgage loans easier than it might be in other locations.

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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.” Families here can enjoy cultural activities, like those found at the Union Colony Civic Center, which is one of the largest performing arts venues in Colorado. Homeownership can be a challenge with the median price of homes for sale hovering around $440,000, though first-time homebuyer programs in Colorado may help with that.

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. Following our tips to qualify for a mortgage can help you find a place that fits your budget.

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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. Starting your housing journey with a mortgage prequalification or preapproval can be a great first step.

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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. With many different types of mortgage loans available, you’ve got a great opportunity to find something that fits your specific financial and life situation.

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As noted above, Arvada is located in northwestern Denver and backs up to the foothills of the Rockies. It’s among the more 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.

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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. If you’re looking to buy a house, you may want to take advantage of some of the first-time homebuyer programs in Colorado.

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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 health care resources in the Denver metro area.

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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 health care and attractions, as well as its excellent farmers markets. Going through the mortgage preapproval process can help you prepare to make a bid when you find the perfect property.

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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.

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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.

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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. If you want to purchase a home here, you can take advantage of learning from a home loan help center to help you navigate the home-buying process.

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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. Housing prices aren’t exactly cheap in Montrose, and some buyers use a jumbo mortgage loan to afford purchasing one. However, the price tag can be somewhat offset by those lower than average property taxes. In addition, renting in Montrose can be affordable.