What Is the Cheapest City in Colorado
Colorado is often ranked as one of the top 10 places to live in America, and it's easy to see why. Cities like Denver and Boulder offer beautiful scenery and an array of outdoor activities alongside big city amenities like museums and breweries.
But as more people realize how much Colorado has to offer, housing prices increase. If you dream of moving to Colorado but can't afford Denver's high cost of living, here are 10 more affordable places where you can settle down.
The Cheapest Places to Live in Colorado
If you're looking for the cheapest place to live in Colorado, this list of affordable cities will give you plenty of great options to consider.
Lamar
If you enjoy a slower pace of life and don't need to live near Denver for work, consider Lamar. This small, quaint city has top-notch schools, hospitals, and amenities like golf courses and a historic train depot. The median home value is just $103,000, making it an affordable place to settle down and start a family.
Milliken
Milliken is a small agricultural city located about 50 miles from Denver and 30 miles from Boulder. Milliken's historic main street has shops and restaurants, and the nearby South Platte River provides plenty of hiking and fishing opportunities. The city has an average household income of $77,589 and a median home value of $392,000, which puts homeownership well within reach.
Fruita
Colorado ski towns like Vail and Aspen are notoriously expensive. But Fruita is an affordable alternative with a median home price of $351,00. In addition to skiing, the city is known for its hiking trails, bike paths, prize peaches, and unique annual festivals. One event you won't want to miss is Fruita Fall Festival, which has a carnival, parade, outhouse race, and over 150 different vendors.
Trinidad
Trinidad is located in southern Colorado 13 miles from the New Mexico border. The city has two museums and a charming historic district with red-brick streets and Victorian architecture. Nature lovers will enjoy the beautiful rolling hills and 2,700 acre state park on the edge of town. Trinidad is also one of the cheapest places to live in Colorado with the average home selling for just $115,000.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs offers many of the same amenities as Denver without the high rent prices. Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, the city has lots of hiking trails and natural landmarks like Garden of the Gods. There's also a thriving arts and music scene and over a dozen museums to explore. The city's median rent is just $1,131 per month, so it's a great home base for young working professionals.
Brush!
The exclamation point in its name isn't the only unique thing about Brush! This rural city hosts the largest amateur rodeo in the world every year in July. It also boasts a 9-hole golf course, skating rink, and numerous wildlife areas. If you get bored, Denver is just a 90-minute car ride away. And best of all, it's one of the cheapest places to live in Colorado—homes in the area only cost around $217,000.
Fort Lupton
Scenic Fort Lupton has beautiful views of the mountains and was rated one of the top 3 safest cities in Colorado. It's just a 40-minute drive from Denver, which gives you access to lots of amenities such as museums, shopping malls, wineries, and more. Houses in the area cost just $409,500, which is around $100,000 less than the state average.
Federal Heights
Federal Heights offers the best of city living at an affordable price. It's just a 20-minute drive from Denver and has amenities like a water park, vineyard, and a large creek where you can raft and fly fish. With a median home value of $350,000, it's a very affordable place to live in Colorado.
Cañon City
Located in a mountain bowl near the Arkansas River, Cañon City offers a number of outdoor activities, including white water rafting, ziplining, and trout fishing. It's also home to the highest suspension bridge in the country, Royal Gorge Bridge. It was named the #1 must-see attraction in Colorado by the Travel Channel, so it's definitely worth a visit even if you don't end up relocating to Cañon City.
But with housing prices like these, you'll have a tough time convincing yourself not to move there. Homes in Cañon City only cost $263,300 on average, and the median rent is just $800 per month.
Sterling
Sterling is a small city in northeastern Colorado with nearly 15,000 residents. The historic downtown has unique shops and restaurants including a glassblowing studio and a brewing company located inside a former Cadillac garage.
The city also has a thriving arts scene—there's an artist co-op and several sculptures by famous artist Bradford Rhea. Rent in the area costs around $786 per month, so you'll be able to find your perfect artist loft on the cheap.
Is it cheaper to live in Texas or Colorado?
In general, it's cheaper to live in Texas than in Colorado. The cost of living in Denver, the biggest city in Colorado, is 12% higher than the national average.
On the other hand, Houston's cost of living is 2% less than the national average, and Austin's is 3% lower. So if you want to enjoy city living on a budget, Texas could be a good choice for you.
Is it expensive to live in Colorado?
Colorado has been ranked as one of the top 10 most expensive states to live in by U.S. News & World Report. This is mainly due to the fact that housing in Colorado is 34% more expensive than the rest of the United States. You can expect to pay about $1300 per month for rent or $1,750 for a mortgage.
But on the plus side, Coloradans spend less on groceries and utilities than the average American, which helps offset the higher housing costs.
How much do you need to make in Colorado to live comfortably?
The amount of money you'll need to live in Colorado depends on where you settle down. Corona Insights calculated how much you'd need to earn to get by in different school districts.
If you live in an expensive part of the state like Douglas County, you'll need an income of $33,457 to cover bills as a single person. But in cheaper areas located far away from Denver like Bent County, you may only need $18,820 per year to pay for the essentials.
However, if you want to purchase a house, you'll need a much higher salary. A 2018 report revealed that it takes a six-figure income to be able to comfortably afford the average home in Colorado, which costs upwards of $479,000.
Colorado's beautiful mountain views and plentiful outdoor activities make it one of the best places to live in the country. Although Denver has a high cost of living, there are more affordable cities where you can enjoy everything the state has to offer on a lower income.
A qualified real estate agent can help you find the perfect place to settle down in Colorado. Start comparing local agents today to get the search for your dream home underway.
What salary do you need to live to comfortably in Colorado?
Colorado is an expensive state, so in order to live comfortably in any city in the state, you need to make over $100,000 annually. In these more affordable cities, you can likely get away with a lower salary.
What is the cheapest rent in Colorado?
Brighton, Colorado is rated as having the most inexpensive rent in the state for a one-bedroom apartment.
What is the cheapest city to live in Colorado?
Federal Heights is the most affordable city on the list and may be the cheapest city to live in Colorado.
What Is the Cheapest City in Colorado
Source: https://www.upnest.com/1/post/cheapest-places-live-in-colorado/