Choosing the right place to call home is a difficult decision, and there are many factors to consider when making your choice. Each person will prioritize these factors different, as living in the catchment area of a good school is the priority for some people, while employment opportunities are more important for others. For people who have a limited budget, affordability is one of the greatest concerns, and the affordability of cities, suburbs, and towns in Colorado can vary significantly from one place to the next. Affordability includes the cost of renting or purchasing a property, along with the general cost of living. If affordability is one of your primary considerations, here are the 20 most affordable places to live in Colorado.
20. Brighton
Sitting in the final position on this list of the 20 most affordable places to live in Colorado is Brighton, which is a city and the county seat of Adams County. It is home to almost 40 thousand people, and the city has plenty of appealing features. In addition to the affordability of this area, the diverse community and the plentiful employment opportunities are two of the area’s best features. Niche also rates Brighton highly for outdoor activities and its vibrant nightlife.
19. Parker
Parker is home to more than 52 thousand of Colorado’s residents, and it is the second-most populous city in Castel Rock county. It sits in the southernmost corner of the Denver Metropolitan area, and its location has made it a popular option for commuters who work in Denver but cannot afford the higher prices. Parker offer properties that are significantly cheaper than the capital, regardless of whether you are buying or renting. Parker is rated highly for almost all the factors you would consider when choosing where to live. The public schools are excellent, there is a lively nightlife, crime and unemployment are both low, and there are activities to enjoy for people of all interests and ages.
18. Pueblo
The cost of both renting or purchasing a property mean that Pueblo is an affordable place to live, says Apartment Therapy. However, it is not just the low cost of living that makes this such as fantastic place to live. There are parks, restaurants, shops, public art, and the Arkansas Riverwalk to enjoy in this city in southern Colorado. Pueblo has approximately 110 thousand residents, which means it is the ninth-most popular city in Colorado.
17. Greeley
Greeley is a relatively large city with a population of almost 104 thousand people. Located in northern Colorado, Greeley is within easy traveling distance of Denver, the state capital. Therefore, it is a popular option for those who work in the capital but want to live somewhere a little more affordable with good transport links for commuting. Greeley boasts a diverse community, nice outdoor spaces, various activities and attractions, decent schools, and job opportunities in a range of sectors.
16. Monument
Situated at the base of the Rampart Range in El Paso County, Monument is a town with a population of a little over seven thousand people. It is set by beautiful surroundings as it is bordered by rock outcroppings and foothills to the north, plains to the east, and the Pike National Forest to the West. It is also by the United States Air Force Academy. Monument is also significant to the history of Colorado, and there are some interesting landmarks. Despite the beauty and historical interest of the area, it is the 16th cheapest place to live in Colorado.
15. La Junta
The county seat of Otero County, La Junta has a population of around seven thousand people. The city is in southeastern Colorado on the Arkansas City and close to Pueblo. According to Niche, there is a suburban fell in La Junta, and the community is diverse. Some of the positives of this town are the nightlife, the transport links, and the range of activities to enjoy. On the downside, this is not necessarily the best place to raise a family as the schools are below average and there is a lack of family-oriented activities to enjoy.
14. Evans
With a population of more than 20 thousand people, Evans is a Home Rule Municipality in Weld County. Some of the positives of this town are the low cost of housing, the varied housing options, the diverse community, the sound transport links, and the excellent job opportunities. One of the area’s downsides ios the relatively high crime rates.
13. Federal Heights
Federal Heights is a suburb of Denver, In this suburb, there is a vast array of coffee shops, restaurants, parks, shops, and family activities. Therefore, it is a fantastic place to live for people who want to enjoy a busy lifestyle. However, it is the low cost of living that attracts to many people, The overall cost of living in Federal Heights is a whopping 25 percent lower than the Colorado state average. Federal Heights has a diverse community, a lively night scene, and many job opportunities in various industries. However, the crime rates are relatively high, and the public schools are below average. Therefore, Federal Heights is probably better suited to a younger crowd rather than families.
12. Wellington
Located in Larimer County, Wellington is a Statutory Town with fewer than nine thousand residents. The area has a rural feel, and there are many outdoor activities to enjoy in the picturesque surroundings. The affordability of the area is one of its greatest positives, although it also has job opportunities, varied housing options, and highly-rated public schools. The main downside to living in Wellington is the lack of nightlife. However, if you want to live a quiet and peaceful lifestyle, then this is not an issue.
11. Frederick
Frederick is a Statutory Town in Weld County with a population of just over 12 thousand residents. Not only is Frederick one of the most affordable places to live in Colorado, but it is also considered one of the best places to live in the state overall. It scores highly on almost every factor you are likely to consider when deciding where to live. It is a particularly good place to raise a family, so it is ideal for families who have a limited budget but want an enjoyable lifestyle. There are decent schools in the area, outdoor spaces where you can spend time with the children, and lots of family-oriented activities. Other bonuses of the area are the low crime and unemployment rates and employment opportunities. The downsides are the lack of nightlife and poor commutability.
10. Trinidad
Trinidad just makes it onto the list of the top ten most affordable places to live in Colorado. Close to the Mexican border, Trinidad has excellent amenities and a wide range of activities to enjoy. Many of these focus on the Trinidad Lake State Park, where you can enjoy camping, fishing, and boating. The historic arts district is also a hive of activities, attractions, and events. The median home value in Trinidad is just $130,400.
9. Firestone
Firestone is the 13th most affordable city in terms of both rental prices and median house values, but it sits in ninth position because of the higher household incomes and the lower cost of living. It is a fantastic place to live for outdoor enthusiasts, as Firestone is home to more than 35 parks, and it boasts miles of scenic trails. There are just over 13 thousand people living in Firestone.
8. Milliken
Milliken sits amongst beautiful surroundings, as it is between Pawnee National Grassland and the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests just north of Denver. Although it is known as the Hub of Northern Colorado, Milliken is a small city with less than seven thousand people living in the city. With a median household income of more than $72 thousand and a median house value of $232,800, Milliken has an excellent house price to income ratio.
7. Rifle
Located in western Colorado by the Colorado City, Rifle is a small city with a popular of fewer than ten thousand people. Rifle is one of the cheapest places to rent a property, as the rental costs are less than half the state average. This location is a wonderful place to live for those who enjoy the outdoors, as it is home to Rifle Falls and Rifle Mountain Park, and there are many outdoor pursuits you can enjoy, including hiking and climbing.
6. Lamar
There is a rural feel in Lamar, that makes it popular with people who want a quieter lifestyle or a nice place to raise their families. Lamar has lots of parks, several golf courses, an old train depot, and the John Martin Reservoir State Park. Another appealing feature is the strong sense of community with fewer than eight thousand residents. It is a particularly affordable area if you are buying property, as the median house values are the second cheapest on the list at under $88 thousand. The downside of Lamar is the unemployment rates are relatively high at 9.2 percent.
5. Brush
On Q Financial list Brush as one of the cheapest places to live in Colorado. The area is known for its agricultural history, and it hosts the largest amateur rodeo in the world every July. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, including golfing, hiking, and fishing. Brush is a small town in the northeastern corner of Colorado with a population of just over five thousand residents. The median house price at approximately $153 thousand.
4. Sterling
Located in northeastern Colorado, Sterling has a little under 14 thousand residents. Sterling is particularly affordable for those who are buying rather than renting, because it is the fourth most affordable place in terms of median home prices. It doesn’t score as well for rental properties, because the cost of renting is only the 38th cheapest in the state. However, the relatively high average household income and the low cost of living make this city a sound option for those on a budget. There are plenty of job opportunities in Sterling, and the amenities are excellent. Therefore, there are a lot of benefits to living in this affordable area.
3. Fort Lupton
An area that is rising in the ranks in terms of affordability is Fort Lupton. It is a suburb of Denver with a population of just over eight thousand residents. The unemployment rate in Fort Lupton is low, and the public schools are outstanding. Therefore, the area appeals to working families. Although the median home value in Fort Lupton is more than $210 thousand, this is offset by the median household income, which is almost $64 thousand per year.
2. Fort Morgan
Fort Mason has remained consistently on the list of the most affordable places of live in Colorado. This city has a population of just over 11 thousand people, and it has excellent transport links to the surrounding areas. There are diverse job opportunities in this area, so many people head to Fort Mason for work purposes. There is an unemployment rate of just four percent in this city. The median home value in Fort Mason is just over $158,000.
1. Craig
The most affordable place to live in Colorado is Craig, says Home Snacks. It is a small city by Yampa River in Moffat County with under nine thousand residents. Although the property prices are the 7th cheapest in the area and the rental costs are 16th on the list, they have made it into top position for two reasons. First, the higher median household income offsets the cost of renting or buying, meaning the area has a good income to renting or buying ratio. Second, the general cost of living is affordable. Another reason this city is a great place to live is there are plentiful job opportunities in various sectors.
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