Can’t Afford to Live in Denver? Live Here Instead
Denver is having a moment. In the span of more than a decade, the city has welcomed more than 100,000 new residents, pushing its population past 700,000.
The allure of Colorado’s capital city is undoubtedly understandable: Denver is an excellent basecamp for lovers of the great outdoors and is soaked in sunshine for 300 days of the year. Denver is also establishing itself as a culinary destination thanks, in part, to the arrival of the Michelin guide and its ever-growing population of chefs and restaurateurs. On top of all that, the city embraces unique traditions to solidify its fun-loving sense of place. For example, take the costumed zombies who lumber down 16th Street Mall in October or the cattle parade that shuts down downtown streets before the stock show in January.
With the population surge, though, comes a chronic housing shortage. Yes, just like the altitude, home prices have also become elevated in the Mile High City. The median home value in Denver is currently $562,364.
But the good news? Several small cities and suburbs offer easy access to Denver but with lower price tags — and less competition for housing. Also, they are just a short drive away and many have zippy Light Rail stations with the trams delivering you to downtown quickly. Not only do these cities offer you a better chance of scoring a deal, they all have their own personalities and are great places to live in their own right.
In This Article
1. Arvada, CO
Median household income: $112,843
Median home price: $545,895
Average commute: 23 minutes
Yes, Arvada has a Light Rail into downtown Denver. But, come the weekend, it might be hard to peel yourself away from this city’s very own center. Dubbed Olde Town Arvada, the neighborhood is lined with boutiques, restaurants and other businesses, many of which are locally owned. Grab a box of cookies, cupcakes and Danishes at Rheinlander Bakery, whose ovens have churned out baked goodies since 1963 (it also has a large selection of gluten-free treats). Or tuck into a farm-to-table feast at Stone Cellar Bistro, which opened in 2022 (we recommend the hot honey fried chicken). Or if you’re craving tacos and margs, grab a seat at Teocalli Cocina, Cochino Taco or Lady Nomada. Also, locals gather regularly at festivals and events in Olde Town, such as Yoga in McIlvoy Park, BrunchFest and the Arvada farmers’ market.
What is there to do in Arvada, CO?
In addition to culinary experiences, Arvada also has more than 120 miles of hiking, biking and horseback-riding trails and lots of parks with playgrounds, splash pads and other family-friendly features. For theater lovers, the Arvada Center is one of the West’s largest multidisciplinary arts and entertainment venues. It offers dance, art and music classes and hosts art exhibits and shows featuring talent from around the world. If fitness is your forte, the sprawling Apex Center has an indoor water park, two ice rinks, and three gyms. Arvada is also situated right off the I-70 corridor, giving skiers and hikers easy access to activities in nearby mountain towns.
2. Longmont, CO
Median household income: $97,934
Median home price: $536,610
Average commute: 21 minutes
A booming culinary scene, plenty of outdoor recreation and a walkable downtown (with plenty of parking!) are just a few reasons Longmont is a great place to live. The city — located within 40 miles of Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and Denver International Airport — has an economy anchored by diverse industries, including manufacturing, bioscience, aerospace and advanced technology.
In fact, the Boulder-Monthong area has one of the highest concentrations of software-related jobs in the United States. Longmont is within close proximity to the University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado State University and is home to the St. Vrain Valley School District, recognized for preparing students for the workforce via work-based learning opportunities and advanced placement options. Longmont’s workforce benefits from these educational perks and the city often ranks among the top areas in the nation for residents holding a four-year degree.
What is there to do in Longmont, CO?
Longmont residents don’t have to venture outside city limits for entertainment. With more than 100 vendors selling fresh seasonal veggies, dairy products and Colorado meats, the city has one of the best farmers’ markets in the state. Open from April to November, the Longmont Farmers Market also hosts live music, yoga sessions and other activities and events. The charming downtown district has tons of shops to explore and bars and restaurants to satisfy your appetite.
At Dry Land Distillers, sip cocktails are shaken with spirits inspired by the state’s diverse landscapes, such as rare single-grain wheat whiskey and native Colorado gin. Or drop into Rosalee’s Pizzeria for beautifully blistered New York–style pies or the Roost for tots smothered with green chile or braised short ribs. Or check out Johnson’s Station, a former 1930s-era gas station turned nostalgia-inspired restaurant, bar and ice cream parlor that opened in September 2024. If you’re a cheese lover, stock up at Cheese Importers on Main Street, which dials up a European market vibe and sells 350 different types of cheeses.
3. Aurora, CO
Median household income: $86,034
Median home price: $449,829
Average commute: 26 minutes
Aurora, a family-friendly suburb east of Denver, now ranks as Colorado’s third-largest city. Aurora is also one of the state’s most diverse cities, reflected in its nationally recognized food scene. Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, Italian and farm-to-table are among the cuisines food lovers will find in town.
Dig into a pot of Korean-style soondubu jjigae (soft tofu stew) at Tofu Story, which has its own in-house tofu program. Or try specialties at Urban Burma and Jasmine Syrian Food stalls at Mango House, a food hall with businesses operated by refugees and immigrants. Stanley Marketplace is also a community gathering place with several excellent bars and restaurants, including Annette and Traveling Mercies concepts by James Beard Award-winning chef Caroline Glover. Shop for groceries at one of the area’s many specialty markets, stocked with goods worldwide. Favorites include H Mart for fresh produce, meat and seafood and Nana African Market for spices and grains.
Why is Aurora, CO, a great place to live?
Aurora’s strong economy attracts young professionals of all ages. Several major employers have headquarters in the city, including the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus, Buckley Space Force Base, Amazon and Raytheon Aurora. Aurora is also centrally located — Denver International Airport and activities in the mountains are both just a quick drive away. But you mustn’t venture outside city limits to bask in Colorado’s outdoor splendor.
Paddleboard, windsurf or swim at the Aurora Reservoir. Hike or walk nearly 120 miles of trails and look for bald eagles, pronghorn, bison and other wildlife at the Plains Conservation Center and Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Active individuals and families also love the Aurora Sports Park, which boasts 23 soccer fields and a dozen baseball or softball fields. Basketball players, don’t feel sidelined: There’s a park for you, too, named Hoops Park.
4. Westminster, CO
Median household income: $92,792
Median home price: $481,437
Average commute: 24 minutes
Tucked smack dab between Boulder and Denver, Westminster can sample the best of both cities. Situated in Adams and Jefferson counties, the suburb has a Light Rail station, which takes riders downtown in about 30 minutes. The city’s convenient location off Highway 36 makes it an ideal landing place for professionals working in Denver or Boulder — but there are also a few big employers in town, including Ball Corporation, Maxar and St. Anthony’s North Hospital. Independently owned shops, restaurants and other businesses also thrive alongside larger companies in Westminster, giving residents plenty of amenities.
What is there to do in Westminster, CO?
Orchard Town Center is one of the city’s newest developments. The outdoor mall has loads of shops and restaurants and a movie theater. Grab a burger and a pint at Windfall Brewing Co., which has a small selection of arcade games, or shop for toys, books and other kid-pleasing goodies at Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe. The center also hosts several fun events, including goat yoga and a farmers’ market in the summer months.
No matter what you’re in the mood for, the area’s diverse dining scene has options to satisfy your appetite. Order a big bowl of Vietnamese noodle soup and a platter of wrap-your-own spring rolls at One Vietnamese Restaurant; devour kielbasa and pierogies at Cracovia Polish-American Restaurant & Bar, or pick up a cheesy-crusted Detroit-style pizza at Rock City Ice and Pie.
Beyond shopping and dining, there are plenty of things to do in Westminster. Visit the Butterfly Pavilion to meet (and hold) the city’s most famous resident — Rosie, the tarantula — and stroll among 1,600 free-flying butterflies. There are also more than 60 parks with playgrounds and dog parks for every member of the family to enjoy, as well as five golf courses and 120 miles of trails for hiking and biking.
5. Lakewood, CO
Median household income: $92,273
Median home price: $524,382
Average commute: 22 minutes
Lakewood is the only place in the world where you can eat sopaipillas and watch cliff divers at a “South Park“–related entertainment center and attend a concert under the stars at a red-rock pavilion just 10 to 15 minutes away. Casa Bonita — an iconic strip mall Mexican restaurant that was purchased and remodeled by Trey Parker and Matt Stone of Comedy Central fame in 2022 — while Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, a naturally formed, open-air theater unlike any other in the world, is located in nearby Morrison.
Landmarks aside, Lakewood is also a great place to plant roots. The city of just over 155,000 has more than 70,000 jobs across various industry sectors, including local government, retail, manufacturing and financial services. The city is connected to the rest of the metro area and surrounding area by three highways, rail lines and bus routes.
It’s home to several public schools and three higher-education institutions — Red Rocks Community College, Colorado Christian University and Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. While outdoor adventures in the high country are just a quick drive west on Interstate 70, Lakewood also has plenty of open space to explore. That includes opportunities to hike and bike year-round at Bear Lake State Park, which offers swimming and boating during the warm-weather months.
What entertainment opportunities are there in Lakewood, CO?
For lovers of art and music, Lakewood has a “Front Porch” concert series during summer months on the front porch of the library, an Italian festival every September and First Friday art celebrations at studios and galleries in the 40 West Arts District. The suburb also has excellent shopping that includes Colorado Mills, an indoor outlet mall with many dining options and an immersive art experience and bar called Primajic, and Belmar, a revitalized shopping and dining district that hosts concerts in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Beyond Casa Bonita, Lakewood has loads of dining options. Grab a table at African Grill & Bar for samosas, fufu dishes and other West African specialties, Gabby’s German Eatery for schnitzel and spaetzle, and Cafe Jordano for pasta, ravioli and lasagna.
6. Englewood, CO
Median household income: $86,107
Median home price: $484,784
Average commute: 22 minutes
With a population of about 35,000, Englewood is the smallest community on our list. But the city’s petite size contributes to its small-town charm, which attracts many young professionals. Englewood has Colorado’s largest population of millennials, who appreciate the city’s proximity to Denver and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and the concentration of independently owned businesses. A Light Rail and bus transit system link the community to downtown Denver and other locations, including Denver International Airport.
Funky dive bars and antique shops dot Broadway, which cuts through Englewood. Concert-goers are in for a treat at the Gothic Theatre, a restored art-deco venue from the jazz era. A vibrant city center with office spaces, a library, restaurants and residential units replaced a shuttered mall, making for an excellent comeback story (as well as a cool place to hang out).
Why is Englewood, CO, a great place for families?
The city has fun amenities for families. During the summer months, CityCenter Amphitheater hosts events and concerts, while Pirates Cove is a fun and affordable waterpark to cool down at, with water slides and a lazy river. At Englewood Farm, llamas, chickens, and other animals, as well as a train ride, entertain little ones during the warm-weather months. If you have four-legged family members in tow, Englewood has one designated half-acre dog park and four parks with off-leash areas for the pups to burn energy and socialize. The city also has a growing dining scene with culinary gems such as Fellow Traveler (a vegan restaurant) and Osteria Alberico (an Italian eatery), which have opened their doors within the past few years.