Colorado’s Best Places to Live in 2025-2026: A Spotlight on the Top Cities
Colorado is home to some of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in the nation, and U.S. News & World Report has recognized four of them in the 2025-2026 Best Places to Live rankings. From bustling metropolises to charming smaller towns, Colorado offers an exceptional quality of life, a strong job market, and plenty of outdoor adventures. Let’s look at our cities that cut:
#3 Colorado Springs: A City of Beauty and Community
Tucked beneath the iconic Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs blends natural wonders and tight-knit communities. Its bustling suburbs, charming downtown, and rugged west side offer unique experiences, whether exploring Garden of the Gods or enjoying a craft beer from one of the city’s many local breweries. The city offers a reasonable median home price of $394,553, making it a popular choice for those seeking an affordable alternative to Denver. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the hiking and mountain biking options, while locals enjoy the community feel throughout the city.
#10 Boulder: Wellness Meets Adventure
In Boulder, the great outdoors is more than just a pastime—a way of life. With stunning Flatirons views and access to over 45,000 acres of public land, Boulder is a playground for hikers, climbers, and outdoor lovers. The city’s wellness culture thrives, from yoga and aerial dance classes to a strong cannabis community. However, this comes at a price, as the median home price of $854,424 reflects the city’s desirability. Despite the cost, Boulder’s residents embrace a lifestyle that values balance, fitness, and outdoor adventure.
#39 Fort Collins: A Growing Craft Beer Haven
Fort Collins has seen rapid growth in recent years, primarily driven by its vibrant craft beer scene, outdoor recreation, and Colorado State University. With a median home price of $477,475, it offers a more affordable option than Boulder and Denver while maintaining small-town charm. Residents have easy access to hiking and camping in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park, and the downtown area is full of lively shops, restaurants, and music venues. Whether enjoying a cold brew from a local craft brewery or taking a morning hike, Fort Collins offers the perfect mix of relaxation and recreation.
#40 Denver: The Mile-High City
Denver might be known for its outdoor activities, but its appeal extends far beyond its proximity to skiing and snowboarding. With a population of over 750,000, the Mile High City offers more than 5,000 acres of parks, trails, and recreational spaces. The city has a thriving arts and music scene and around 150 local breweries. However, living costs have surged in recent years, and the median home price has climbed to $565,720. Despite the higher housing costs, Denver’s energetic atmosphere, diverse culture, and proximity to the mountains continue to attract people from all over the country.
These four cities showcase the variety and beauty of life in Colorado. Whether you’re drawn to the outdoor adventures in Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, the wellness-focused community in Boulder, or the urban vibrancy of Denver, there’s a place in Colorado that suits everyone’s lifestyle. With strong job markets, stunning natural landscapes, and an excellent quality of life, it’s no surprise that multiple cities in our state continue to rank among the best places to live in the country.
Holiday Market Moves: End-of-Year Opportunities for Buyers, Smart Moves for Sellers
We’re entering the best time of year for savvy buyers to make a move—and no, we’re not talking about holiday shopping. Home buying often takes a back seat for most people as the end-of-year festivities approach, leaving motivated buyers with an edge. With fewer competitors in the market, this season offers some of the best opportunities to negotiate favorable deals.
November brought a whirlwind of market-shaping events, including the presidential election, Federal Reserve updates, and mortgage rates hovering around seven percent. Unsurprisingly, this led to a dip in pending and closed transactions month-over-month. Meanwhile, new listings dropped sharply in November—40.38 percent for attached homes and 41.90 percent for detached homes—allowing buyers to absorb inventory and reducing active listings by 14.90 percent from October. However, inventory levels remain significantly higher year-over-year, with a 57.08 percent increase in attached homes and a 32.01 percent increase in detached homes, giving buyers more options as we head into the holidays.
Median home prices are holding steady, with detached homes seeing a 1.90 percent year-over-year increase and attached homes dipping slightly by 1.20 percent. Meanwhile, active inventory at the end of November totaled 9,310 properties, with 3,022 closings. For perspective, the average number of active November listings from 1985 to 2023 is 13,521. While far from the record high of 27,530 listings in 2006 or the record low of 2,248 in 2021, these inventory levels provide buyers with opportunities for negotiation while reminding sellers to remain competitive in their pricing and preparation.
Info For Sellers
Setting realistic expectations is essential as the market slows during the holiday season. Many buyers are negotiating hard, requesting concessions to offset higher interest rates, and according to local title companies, contracts are terminating at 30 to 40 percent rates. If you’re selling now, focus on cleaning, staging, and making repairs to attract serious buyers. Listing in the new year may result in better outcomes for those who can wait, as buyer demand typically rebounds post-holiday.
Info for Buyers
Now is your moment! With reduced competition, plenty of inventory, and motivated sellers, buyers have the upper hand to negotiate deals and concessions. This window of opportunity won’t last long, as the new year traditionally brings a surge of activity with more buyers re-entering the market, increasing competition. If buying a home is on your 2025 resolution list, acting now could help you secure the right house before the crowd arrives.
Whether buying or selling, the market remains dynamic, and the best decisions are those that align with your personal goals. Partnering with an experienced agent ensures you’re well-positioned to navigate the current opportunities and challenges effectively.
We use reasonable efforts to include accurate and up-to-date information. The real estate market changes often. We make no guarantees of future real estate performance and assu
