Random Best Places In Colorado To Live (25 items)

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  (#1) Boulder

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 108,108

  Median income: $70,158

  Median home price: $685,500

  Pros: The city features all the benefits of Colorado's natural beauty with hiking trails and ski slopes, but a small-town feel that encourages a sense of community. Boulder's biggest cultural event is the Conference on World Affairs, which has been held annually since 1948.

  Cons: Traffic and parking can be tricky with job-growth well outstripping population growth, meaning it is a city of commuters, though Boulder is also nationally recognized for its high-quality public transportation systems.
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  (#2) Telluride

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 2,369

  Median income: $66,115

  Median home price: $943,787

  Pros: With crime rates 13 percent lower than the nation and unemployment less than half of the U.S. average, Telluride is a small town nestled in the mountains that offers plenty of upside for people looking to settle down. It's hiking trails and ski slopes are also legendary.

  Cons: On the downside, all of those comforts and amenities come with a cost of living 68 percent higher than the rest of the nation and all in a city where you need to be comfortable being cold most of the year because 10 months out of the year have the potential to be below freezing.
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  (#3) Aspen

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 6,805

  Median income: $71,207

  Median home price: $573,540

  Pros: Aspen is one of the most famous skiing communities in the country, with its slopes attracting tourists and locals alike. In addition, there is a vibrant local theater scene and shopping galore, meaning whether you prefer outdoor or indoor activities, Aspen has something to offer.

  Cons: However, against the rest of Colorado, crime rates are 39 percent higher in Aspen while cost of living is 29 percent higher. Though the graduation rate is higher than the national average, school test scores are below average.
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  (#4) Estes Park

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 6,165

  Median income: $52,080

  Median home price: $411,490

  Pros: Estes Park is one of the safest small towns in Colorado, with crime rates more than 60 percent below the state average and 56 percent below the national average. Home values are 29 percent higher than the rest of the state, and the 95 percent high school graduation rate is among the best in Colorado.

  Cons: Despite all this, the household income remains depressed, 22 percent lower than the Colorado average and 12 percent below the national average. The cost of living is also above the state average and 14 percent above the U.S. average.
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  (#5) Denver

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 693,060

  Median income: $61,105

  Median home price: $360,900

  Pros: The Mile-High City is the commerce and entertainment center of Colorado. It is home to professional sports teams from all the major American leagues and major industries such as United Airlines and Coors Brewing Company. Denver is also surrounded by parks, trails, and skiing opportunities, offering a wide variety of recreational options.

  Cons: Crime rates across the board are higher than the rest of the nation, and average household income is lower than the rest of Colordao, though house prices are higher than the rest of the state.
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  (#6) Colorado Springs

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 465,084

  Median income: $60,308

  Median home price: $243,600

  Pros: Colorado Springs is among the most breathtaking cities in all of the state, with numerous hiking trails through the nearby mountains and copious parks for those looking to stay a little closer to home. Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak stand out among the local attractions.

  Cons: While cost of living is in line with the national average, household income is 10 percent lower than the rest of Colorado and the unemployment rate is 3 percent higher than the national average. The crime rate is high, and school test scores are well below the national average.
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  (#7) Durango

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 17,834

  Median income: $63,388

  Median home price: $455,388

  Pros: Durango is the quintessential Colorado mountain town. Set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, Durango features plentiful skiing and hiking opportunities, as well as white water rafting and a beautiful downtown that is on the national registry of historic places.

  Cons: While home values are 45 percent higher than the rest of the state, the rate of home ownership is 18 percent lower than the national average. Crime rates are also 30 percent higher than the state average, and school test scores 21 percent below the U.S. average.
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  (#8) Grand Junction

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 60,210

  Median income: $44,891

  Median home price: $215,570

  Pros: Colorado Mesa University provides a town center and a source of employment for many of Grand Juction's residents. The town is also ranked among the best fishing and hunting locales in the U.S. and has been ranked highly by Forbes magazine among best small towns for businesses.

  Cons: Crime rates are 68 percent higher than the rest of Colorado, and household incomes are 26 percent below the state average, while the unemployment rate is 25 percent higher than the national rate. While cost of living is below the Colorado average, the rate of home ownership is 11 percent below the U.S. average.
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  (#9) Aurora

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 362,249

  Median income: $59,467

  Median home price: $253,400

  Pros: Aurora offers many of the amenities we associate with Colorado, such as wide-open space, beautiful nature, and bright blue skies. There are hiking trails, bike trails, and abundant entertainment options within the city limits.

  Cons: However, when looking to settle down, consider the fact Aurora's high school graduation rate is 5 percent lower than the state average and its school test scores are 45 percent below the national average. Crime rates are nearly 20 percent higher than the rest of the state and household income is 12 percent lower.
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  (#10) Littleton

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 44,669

  Median income: $71,854

  Median home price: $375,836

  Pros: Littleton is an outdoor lover's paradise, nestled among the surrounding hills and valleys and home to Roxborough State Park and Chatfield State Park, among other exciting outdoor adventures such as its numerous hiking and bike trails.

  Cons: Cost of living is slightly above the state average, though that is mitigated by the average household income being above the state average as well. Home values are 19 percent higher in Littleton than the rest of Colorado, but home ownership rates are lower than the national average.
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  (#11) Longmont

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 92,813

  Median income: $60,661

  Median home price: $335,000

  Pros: Dog lovers and beer lovers, alike, rejoice. Longmont is home to numerous dog parks and outdoor recreation activities for owners and their pets, while the downtown area features a number of local brew pubs for the alcohol aficiodano. Longmont is also just a half-hour drive from the Rocky Mountain National Park.

  Cons: Crime rates are slightly above the national average, though 8 percent below the state average across all categories. High school graduation rates, likewise, are 2 percent below the Colorado rate as a whole, and test scores are 29 percent below the national average.
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  (#12) Arvada

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 117,308

  Median income: $75,082

  Median home price: $342,700

  Pros: Home to the popular Gold Strike Festival, the former gold rush town's downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places.

  Cons: Despite its proximity to Denver, the town of Arvada does not offer a wide variety of entertainment options for residents, and the cost of living is about 43 percent higher than the rest of the country.
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  (#13) Castle Rock

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 55,747

  Median income: $96,265

  Median home price: $389,059

  Pros: Castle Rock is a gorgeous small town that has shown tremendous growth over the past decade with more and more development in and around the town center. Crime rates are 44 percent lower than the Colorado average and home ownership rates are 20 percent higher than the rest of the nation. 

  Cons: Cost of living is 13 percent higher than the rest of the state, and for that extra cost, the schools have failed to keep up with local demands with a high student-to-teacher ratio and abysmal test scores.
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  (#14) Centennial

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 109,935

  Median income: $70,950

  Median home price: $319,000

  Pros: Centennial is one of the most family-friendly cities in Colorado, with 84 percent of the population married and 54 percent with kids. Low crime rates and high employment numbers also combine to make Centennial a desirable locale for people looking to settle down.

  Cons: Those looking to settle down in Centennial will need a good job or a good chunk of savings, however, with the cost of living among the highest in Colorado, relative to the town's size. Likewise, real estate prices are nearly 30 percent higher than in the rest of the state.
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  (#15) Commerce City

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 51,762

  Median income: $72,850

  Median home price: $290,080

  Pros: A quiet city just north of Denver, Commerce City features many outdoor activities that attract tourists and locals alike. The numerous ponds and rivers offer great fishing, while the surrounding forest areas provide hunting opportunities for those so inclined. Its proximity (just a short 20-minute drive) to the many amenities of Denver is also a main draw.

  Cons: Home values are 14 percent below those of the rest of Colorado, and high school graduation rates are 10 percent below the national average and 14 percent below the state average. Test scores are also significantly lower than the U.S. average, and the city's schools feature a high student-to-teacher ratio.
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  (#16) Lakewood

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 154,368

  Median income: $59,144

  Median home price: $332,700

  Pros: With miles of hiking trails and dozens of spacious parks, Lakewood is one of the most outdoor-friendly communities in Colorado. While the city center offers plenty of shopping and restaurants, the true beauty of Lakewood lies in its parks and reservoirs, with countless activities for tourists and locals alike.

  Cons: The city's high crime rate could be considered a major hindrance for any potential residents, with a crime rate 79 percent higher than that of the rest of the state and twice the national average. The cost of living is slightly above the state average, while the average household income is below the Colorado average.
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  (#17) Loveland

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 76,906

  Median income: $67,812

  Median home price: $290,600

  Pros: Loveland is most famous for its internationally recognized sculpute festival, in which artists come from around the world to show and sell their work. The town is also surrounded by hiking and bike trails through the nearby mountains.

  Cons: The cost of living is more than 20 percent higher than the rest of the country, and housing is expensive relative to the national average, though lower than some of the larger cities in Colorado.
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  (#18) Montrose

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 19,045

  Median income: $43,650

  Median home price: $216,473

  Pros: Montrose is a small town with a wide variety of community attractions, such as the Museum of the Mountain West, the Montrose Botanic Gardens, and the Montrose Water Sports Park. There is also a vibrant downtown shopping district and numerous outdoor activities, including the miles of hiking trails.

  Cons: High crime (67 percent abover the Colorado average) and low household income (34 percent below the Colorado average) have combined to depress the housing market, with home values 31 percent lower than the state average. School test scores also run nearly 40 percent behind the national average.
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  (#19) Pueblo

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 110,295

  Median income: $38,380

  Median home price: $126,200

  Pros: Among the big cities in Colorado, Pueblo is considered among the most affordable, with the best cost of living, 20 percent lower than the rest of the state. Local entertainment stops include the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo and the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum.

  Cons: While affordability is a major factor in considering a new home, it should be noted Pueblo has high school graduation rates lower than the state average and test scores significantly below the national average. Crime is also more than double the state average and household income is 40 percent lower.
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  (#20) Westminster

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 113,865

  Median income: $71,313

  Median home price: $312,200

  Pros: Home to the Butterfly Pavillion, the nation's first stand-alone insect zoo, Westminster certainly scores points for uniqueness among Colorado cities. The town center also features numerous gardens and parks, including the popular Westminster Center Park.

  Cons: Though high school graduation rates are about on par with the rest of the state, test scores are 36 percent lower than the national average and the student-to-teacher ration is 24 percent higher than the U.S. average. Crime rates are also 25 percent above the national average and 12 percent higher than the rest of Colorado.
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  (#21) Fort Collins

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 164,196

  Median income: $59,357

  Median home price: $338,100

  Pros: Fort Collins is best known as a craft beer haven and is home to the nationally popular New Belgium brewery. The surround wilderness is loaded with bike trails and hiking trails that are popular with locals.

  Cons: Home prices are more than twice the national average and education funding cuts have led to extensive layoffs in local schools.
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  (#22) Fort Morgan

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 11,329

  Median income: $46,630

  Median home price: $148,788

  Pros: Like much of Colorado, Fort Morgan is home to countless outdoor activities and numerous local parks, the most prominent of which may be Riverside Park. Glen Miller Park is a sizable downtown area with shopping and restaurants, perfect for a night on the town.

  Cons: While the cost of living is nearly 20 percent lower than that of the rest of Colorado, the average household income runs nearly 30 percent below the rest of the state. Home values are also half of what they are across the rest of Colorado, though home ownership rates are behind the U.S. average. The high school graduation rate is also 22 percent below the Colorado average.
• 

  (#23) Thornton

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 136,690

  Median income: $75,289

  Median home price: $284,300

  Pros: Located in the area surround Denver, Thornton has many of the benefits of big-city life with few of the drawbacks. Household incomes are higher than the rest of the state on average, and home ownership is 10 percent higher than the national average. Cost of living and crime rates are also below the state averages.

  Cons: Home values are below the Colorado average, and for the 30 percent of residents who do not own their homes, rent costs are 27 percent higher than the national average. While high school graduation rates are even with the national average, test scores run 40 percent behind the rest of the nation.
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  (#24) Greeley

  • Colorado, USA

  Population: 104,003

  Median income: $51,205

  Median home price: $225,400

  Pros: A college town where the University of Northern Colorado is the city's fourth-largest employer, Greeley caters to both the youthful, collegiate crowd and the local families and older residents. Despite being one of the larger cities in Colorado, Greeley maintains a small-town charm that places like Denver or Aurora can lack.

  Cons: Crime rates are higher than the U.S. average, though slightly lower than the state average, and household income is nearly 20 percent lower than the rest of the state. High school graduation rates and test scores are also below average. The surrounding farm area can sometimes contribute to a faint smell of manure throughout the city.
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  (#25) Broomfield

  • Rocky Mountains

  Population: 66,529

  Median income: $84,349

  Median home price: $383,600

  Pros: Low crime rates, highly rated schools, and proximity to larger cities Denver and Boulder make Broomfield an ideal place to settle down for people who want a little city life and a little suburban life.  

  Cons: Transportation costs are higher than the national average, while median home prices are more than double the average in the rest of the country.

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