Real Estate Blog

Living in Colorado is paradise for anyone who loves the outdoors. From the majestic Rocky Mountains to Mesa Verde, hiking, skiing, and mountain biking, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. If Colorado sounds like the state for you, then you may also be curious about what cities fit into your budget. For example, the median home sale price in Colorado is $580,900 as of July. 

If that number is out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve got options to help you find a home. Redfin has collected 10 of the most affordable places to live in Colorado. And the best part is that they all have a median home sale price under the state’s average. From Colorado Springs to Aurora, read on to see what cities you may want to consider moving to this year.

aerial view of homes in grand junction co_Getty

#1: Pueblo

Median home price: $262,950
Average sale price per square foot: $163 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,512 
Median household income: $42,902 
Nearest major metro: Colorado Springs (45 miles)
Pueblo, CO homes for sale
Pueblo, CO apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $262,950, Pueblo claims the first spot on our list of affordable places to live in Colorado. Pueblo is home to roughly 111,900 residents and is about 45 miles away from Colorado Springs, the nearest major metro. Living in Pueblo, you can visit the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo, explore the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum and the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, or check out the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center.

#2: Greeley

Median home price: $405,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $185 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,200 
Median household income: $57,537 
Nearest major metro: Fort Collins (35 miles)
Greeley, CO homes for sale
Greeley, CO apartments for rent

The second most affordable city to live in Colorado is Greeley. The nearest metropolitan area is Fort Collins, which is approximately 35 miles northwest of Greeley. When living in this city of 108,800 people, you can spend the day outside at Island Grove Regional Park, check out Gateway Lakes Natural Area, or visit the Colorado Model Railroad Museum.

#3: Grand Junction

Median home price: $434,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $262 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $775 
Median household income: $54,570 
Grand Junction, CO homes for sale
Grand Junction, CO apartments for rent

Third is Grand Junction where about 65,600 residents currently live. The median home sale price is $434,000 which is about $145K less than the median home sale price in Colorado. If you find yourself moving to the third most affordable place in Colorado, explore the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, and visit one of the many museums like Museum of the West or Eureka! McConnell Science Museum. You can also hike one of the trails and stop by Colorado National Monument.

home with snow in colorado springs co

#4: Colorado Springs

Median home price: $460,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $218 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,227 
Median household income: $57,537 
Nearest major metro: Denver (70 miles)
Colorado Springs, CO homes for sale
Colorado Springs, CO apartments for rent

Only slightly more expensive than Grand Junction is none other than Colorado Springs. The second most populous city in Colorado, you can reach the nearest metro, Denver, in about 70 miles. With roughly 478,900 residents in Colorado Springs, make sure to visit the Garden of the Gods, tour the United States Air Force Academy, ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, and explore the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

#5: Aurora

Median home price: $480,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $241 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,678 
Median household income: $57,537 
Nearest major metro: Denver (10 miles)
Aurora, CO homes for sale
Aurora, CO apartments for rent

Another great affordable city to consider moving to is Aurora, just outside of Denver. Home to 386,300 residents, this affordable town can be a great option to add to your list. Living in Aurora, you can check out the Plains Conservation Center, explore the city center, and fish or swim at Aurora Reservoir.

#6: Loveland

Median home price: $508,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $221 
Median household income: $72,515 
Nearest major metro: Fort Collins (15 miles)
Loveland, CO homes for sale
Loveland, CO apartments for rent

Sixth on the list is another well-known city, Loveland, where you’ll find the home prices are about $80K less than the state’s average. With just about 76,400 people living in Loveland, it’s a great place to consider buying a house in. Make sure to enjoy a day by the lake at Lake Loveland or Boyd Lake State Park, explore Devil’s Backbone Open Space, or check out the sculptures at Benson Sculpture Garden.

#7: Westminster

Median home price: $550,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $264 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,928 
Median household income: $76,378 
Nearest major metro: Denver (10 miles)
Westminster, CO homes for sale
Westminster, CO apartments for rent

Seventh on our list of affordable places to live in Colorado is Westminster. With a population of close to 116,300, living in Westminster is a great option for those looking for a mid-sized city. If you find yourself moving to this area make sure to spend the day at Standley Lake Regional Park & Wildlife Refuge where you can fish, boat, and camp, visit the Butterfly Pavilion home to over 1,500 butterflies, or explore the many local shops and restaurants.

two story home with porch in thornton co

#8: Thornton

Median home price: $562,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $221 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,599 
Median household income: $80,732 
Nearest major metro: Denver (10 miles)
Thornton, CO homes for sale
Thornton, CO apartments for rent

Living in Colorado, it’s likely that you know of Thornton, the eighth city on our list. Nearly 141,800 residents call this affordable city home. Be sure to explore the 200-acre Pelican Ponds Open Space, check out the Trail Winds Recreation Center, and golf at one of the courses throughout the city once living in Thornton.

#9: Lakewood

Median home price: $569,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $285 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,675 
Median household income: $71,233 
Nearest major metro: Denver (8 miles)
Lakewood, CO homes for sale
Lakewood, CO apartments for rent

Lakewood is a great place to consider moving to in Colorado. This Denver suburb is home to about 155,900 residents. Fun activities to do in Lakewood include camping, hiking, horseback riding, or swimming at Bear Creek Lake Park, heading to the famous Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre for a concert, and hiking up Green Mountain.

#10: Fort Collins

Median home price: $570,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $277 
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,644 
Median household income: $70,528 
Nearest major metro: Denver (65 miles)
Fort Collins, CO homes for sale
Fort Collins, CO apartments for rent

Finishing off our list is Fort Collins, where the median home sale price is $570,000. This city has a population of 169,800, there is plenty to do in your free time living in Fort Collins. You can explore the Old Town Historic District where you’ll find homes dating back to the 1800s, trolleys, and charming shops, check out the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, and visit Riverbend Ponds Natural Area.

Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in Colorado. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during July 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com July 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.