The 10 Best Places To Live In Colorado

1. Timnath

Nestled along on the Cache la Poudre River, Timnath offers small town charm with scenic escapes for outdoorsy inhabitants. In addition to the river, the Fossil Creek Reservoir and Windsor Lake offer additional natural beauty for residents and visitors to enjoy. It also boasts a strong job market, with an incredibly low unemployment rate. Check out the homes for sale in Timnath and explore the Timnath housing market report.

2. Brush

A little smaller but also a little more affordable than Timnath, Brush offers its residents a slow-paced lifestyle in a tight-knight community. There’s plenty to do though, with five parks, wildlife areas, a roller-skating rink and a community swimming pool. Check out the homes for sale in Brush and explore the Brush housing market report.

3. Evergreen

Evergreen might be a little pricier than the other places on this list, but it brings a lot to the table for that extra cash. Festivals, concerts, farmers markets, fine dining and a plethora of scenic trails await in Evergreen. Check out the homes for sale in Evergreen and explore the Evergreen housing market report.

4. Castle Rock

A suburb of Denver, Castle Rock has the biggest population on our list, so it might not be the right fit if you are looking for that super small-town feel. However, there are many reasons why so many people live here, including 110 miles of trails and 55 parks. If you like spending time hiking outdoors, Castle Rock might be a perfect fit. Check out the homes for sale in Castle Rock and explore the Castle Rock housing market report.

5. Frederick

Frederick’s history is steeped in mining tradition, much like many places in Colorado. Historical significance aside, this small town is now known for clean, well-kept neighborhoods and friendly locals. In addition, Frederick offers breathtaking views, as it is positioned along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Check out the homes for sale in Frederick and explore the Frederick housing market report.

6. Milliken

Does geological intrigue get your blood pumping? Milliken offers an archeological dig site that is 11,000 years old and features mammoth remains! Roaming with residents that dig a small town feel instead of prehistoric beasts these days, this top 10 Colorado town also offers a laid-back, recreational lifestyle. A plethora of parks and lakes allow for plenty of leisure options if you decide to call Milliken home. Check out the homes for sale in Milliken and explore the Milliken housing market report.

7. Eaton

Surrounded by large swaths of agricultural land, Eaton provides both expansive landscapes and cozy, small-town feel. The quaint downtown offers shops and restaurants that embody the town’s unassuming and relaxed vibe. Looking for a long stroll? Head to The Great Western Trail, a remnant of the Great Western Railroad that connects the towns of Windsor, Severance and Eaton with 10 1/2 miles of unpaved trails. Check out the homes for sale in Eaton and explore the Eaton housing market report.

8. Parker

With a population approaching 60,000 people, Parker might be referred to as a big city on this particular top 10 list. In fact, only Castle Rock is bigger when it comes to the 10 best places to live in Colorado. Downtown Parker offers events, music, dining, shopping and more. If you like the scenic views of Colorado in a medium size town setting, this might be just the place. Check out the homes for sale in Parker and explore the Parker housing market report.

9. Fairmount

An unincorporated community not far from Denver, Fairmount has the highest median monthly rent on our list. That could be an argument for buying instead of renting if you can swing it. For those that call Fairmount home, they enjoy a fast-growing community with much to offer. What’s the biggest draw to this area? You guessed it – mountains! Check out the homes for sale in Fairmount and explore the Fairmount housing market report.

10. Mead

If the small-town scene is what you are looking for, it doesn’t get any smaller than Mead on this list, with a population of 5,110. The location of the mini municipality is exceptionally convenient, with both Denver and Fort Collins only 30 minutes away. The crown jewel of Mead is Rocky Mountain National Park, which has 4.5 million visitors every year! Check out the homes for sale in Mead and explore the Mead housing market report.

The Bottom Line

Colorado offers beautiful views, amazing outdoor recreation and vibrant towns of all shapes and sizes. When it comes to picking a place to call home, this Rocky Mountain state appeals to homeowners from all walks of life. Thinking Colorado might be the place you’d like to hang your hat? You can start the process by applying for mortgage approval with Rocket Mortgage^Ⓡ.

Methodology

Rocket Homes^SM collected and analyzed the most recent data on 12 key local and countywide metrics to give us insight into the best cities to live in Colorado. Our analysis included the 89 most populated cities, which represent 75% of U.S. residents living in Colorado.

The following metrics were weighted and included in our overall score:

We also considered the following metrics, without weight:

For the well-being index, county-level data was used because data was not recorded at the local level.

Some of these metrics were then used to calculate the housing cost-to-income ratio and home affordability index. These metrics were chosen based on public data availability and topical relevance. Metrics from the U.S. Census are based on 2021 ACS 5-year estimates and 2022 ACS 1-year estimates.

The housing cost-to-income ratio was calculated by dividing the median monthly housing cost by the median monthly income.

The home affordability index was calculated using the median sale price for homes in that city, interest rates from Freddie Mac primary mortgage market survey, and median yearly income. To interpret the indices, a value equal to or greater than 1 means that the average person has enough income to qualify for a mortgage in that area. The calculation assumes a down payment of 20% of the home price and a qualifying ratio of 25%.

Cities with violent crime rates greater than or equal to 55 and property crime rates greater than or equal to 65 were removed from the ranking.

The weighted scores for each metric were summed to create the overall Best Places To Live Score for each city.