8 Best Places To Call Home In Colorado In 2026
Colorado has one of the most beautiful landscapes in the US, making it a popular location for both individuals and families looking for a new home. The Rocky Mountains shape everyday life across the state. This makes it an ideal spot for outdoor lovers and those looking for a quieter pace of life.
Places like Trinidad offer affordable home prices and hiking trails for families and nature enthusiasts. Communities like Brighton sit closer to Denver with convenient access to shopping and a vibrant arts scene. Whether homebuyers want affordability or convenience, Colorado has plenty of places to put down roots.
Brighton
Located about 20 miles from Denver, potential homebuyers can find a town called Brighton. The area is a mix of a small-town feel with suburban living, giving people a taste of both sides Colorado has to offer.
According to Zillow, the average home price in Colorado sits at about $543,270, while Brighton's is slightly below the state median at $499,168. Agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and energy are just a few of the industries the area is known for, where thousands of new jobs are created each year. The town is also within driving distance of multiple colleges like Front Range Community College and the Denver and Boulder University of Colorado campuses.
On days off, residents often visit Barr Lake State Park, which provides 2,715 acres of land filled with trails, a lake, a boardwalk, and plenty of wildlife. Another outdoor option is Berry Patch Farms where residents can enjoy pick-your-own options for various fruits and vegetables. Or, for a more lively scene, they might head to downtown Brighton. Here, locals and tourists alike can stroll around 1,300 businesses and browse murals while sipping on a signature latte from Wolf and Honey.
Cañon City
Cañon City sits about an hour's drive away from Colorado Springs and stands as the third oldest city in the state. It is along the Arkansas River, where whitewater rafting remains one of the top sports in the area. The atmosphere is often quiet throughout the year with small influxes of tourists in the warmer months. Cañon City's lower elevation often protects it from the harsh snow up in the mountains, causing snowfall rates to be much smaller than other parts of the state.
Homes in Cañon City are around $335,539, which is over 35% cheaper than the median within the state. While it is definitely a small town, residents can still access a walkable downtown area and enjoy plenty of outdoor recreation options. Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is a big attraction nearby that gives residents easy access to hiking, walking the 956-foot-high bridge, and gondola rides across the gorge. Royal Gorge Route Railroad is in this area as well, where gorge visitors can enjoy a scenic train ride through the Colorado Rockies.
The Pike-San Isabel National Forests are another park favorite with millions of acres to explore through hiking, biking, climbing, fishing, and more. It offers opportunities for seasonal activities like skiing and paddleboarding.
Evans
Evans is located in Weld County, about an hour north of Denver. This county alone is one of the largest oil producers in the US, making it a prime area for jobseekers in the energy market. Other dominant employment fields in Evans include healthcare, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing, offering some diverse options. And for those looking to further education, the University of Northern Colorado is just a five-minute drive away, while Aims Community College is less than 15 minutes away.
The average home price in Evans is $396,479, making it rather affordable for families. Evans is a nature-based area that features over 15 parks, including Riverside Park that provides a seven-acre lake for fishing. It is a great family park, as there are also four ball fields, a playground, a paved trail, and picnicking options near the South Platte River.
Evans also has a delicious food scene, with quite a few Mexican restaurants in the area. Frida Grill and Café is a popular spot for locals, featuring breakfast, sandwiches, and authentic Mexican food like street tacos, alambres dishes, and birria dishes.
Johnstown
Potential homebuyers can find Johnstown located in Northern Colorado, about an hour northeast of Boulder. The average home price sits at about $508,082, making it close to the state median but still affordably below it by about $35,000. The area is mostly known for its agriculture due to its long-standing roots in farming, making it a rather quiet area.
Besides farming, Johnstown is focusing on ongoing growth and is becoming more popular for businesses and new home developments in recent years. It focuses on keeping its residents happy, providing a friendly atmosphere and hosting many community events throughout the year. As the area continues to build up, Candlelight Dinner Theatre continues to be a popular spot. The venue offers residents a list of musical theater and live music shows throughout the year, along with dinner options. The menu often changes with each show, offering cocktails and dishes curated for the theme of the show.
For residents looking for something more laidback, Lake Park and Parish Park are scenic recreation options for any outdoor enthusiasts. Lake Park offers activities like fishing along with a walking path, picnicking areas with electricity, and a playground. Parish Park also has picnicking shelters with electricity, along with a playground and volleyball court for those looking for a little competitive fun.
Paonia
Paonia is a naturally beautiful area that has a very tight-knit community that prides itself on its farm-to-table lifestyle. It is known for its arts scene and its local vineyards and orchards, offering fresh fruit and locally-made wines. This little mountain town sits slightly off the beaten path about two hours from Aspen and the average home price is below the state median at $471,436.
Orchard Valley Farms and Market is a busy spot for locals, as it showcases some of the freshest fruits, vegetables, and locally-made products. Black Bridge Winery also sits on the same property, which features small batch wines and hosts tastings to locals and visitors. Apples, peaches, and cherries are the most abundant fruit orchards in the area. There is even a festival to celebrate the local cherry season called the Cherry Days Festival. Every July, the community celebrates through dancing, games, and contests.
Along with the agriculturally-focused vibe, residents can also enjoy places like the Paradise Theater. This theater showcases the area's art and culture scene through movies, live music, dance events, and theater shows for anyone wanting a night out.
Silverton
For homebuyers looking for an off-the-grid feel, Silverton offers just that with a town population of about 701 people. The town's average home price is around $533,876, still sitting below the state median, offering options for those wanting a remote town setting without the unreachable price tag. It sits in the southwestern area of the state in the San Juan Mountains and is just over an hour away from Durango.
Due to its location, Silverton is mostly known for its rugged feel, scenic views of the mountains, and winter sports. Silverton Mountain Ski Area is a popular place in the winter, offering both unguided and guided skiing for a true mountain sport experience. For the warmer months, Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a popular outdoor option, offering vintage train rides through the San Juan Mountains. The Silverton Train Experience follows the historic 1882 railroad for about 45 miles on a nine-hour tour.
Silverton is also rooted in history due to its role in Colorado's Silver Boom. The area was well-known for mining during the 19th century and continued to be a mining area into the 1990s. With all of this mining history come some historical museums for residents like the Mayflower Mill. The old 1930 ore mill offers self-guided tours in the summertime for anyone interested in learning about gold and silver processing.
Trinidad
Trinidad is one of the most affordable places to live with median home prices sitting at $235,148, which is more than 50% less than the state median. The historic town sits in the southeastern area of the state and is about half an hour away from the Colorado-New Mexico state line. It also sits at the edge of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, providing scenic mountain views and plenty of opportunities for hiking and biking.
Trinidad Lake State Park is a popular place for resident outdoor lovers where they can explore 2,960 acres and 10.3 miles of trails. The park even hosts community events like archery classes, educational wildlife talks, and music events. Downtown Trinidad is where a lot of the historical Victorian-era buildings and brick streets reside, along with the Trinidad History Museum. Residents and visitors alike can learn about Trinidad's heritage and culture while also attending hosted events. The museum holds classes for all ages that focus on meditation and fitness along with live music events.
The AR Mitchell Museum of Western Art and the Main Street LIVE theater are also favorites among Trinidad. Art enthusiasts can view Native American, Western, Hispanic Folk, and other categories of art in a historic 1906 store. Main Street LIVE provides locals with the perfect night with a calendar full of theatre shows throughout the year, including favorites like The Wizard of Oz.
Woodland Park
Woodland Park sits about two hours south of Denver at the western base of Pikes Peak, offering unmatched views all year round. The area's nickname is actually known as "The City Above the Clouds" due to its elevation of over 8,000 feet above sea level. Colorado Springs is also a short drive away, usually taking about 20 minutes to half an hour.
The area's average home price is $541,006, sitting just below the state's median, and it is known for nature and wildlife, Pikes Peak views, and outdoor recreation. Woodland Park is home to the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center, making it a great place for paleontology education. The center has displays and exhibits of fossils, along with a large active paleontology lab that allows visitors to view paleontologists working. Memorial Park is a popular spot for all ages with access to a playground, pond fishing, paved pathways, and picnic areas. The park also hosts community events like farmers' markets on every Friday from June through September.
For those looking for good eats, the Woodland Park food scene thrives mostly on local mom and pop restaurants and cafes. The Donut Mill has become a local favorite worth visiting at least once a week for fresh doughnuts, 12-inch cinnamon rolls, and ice cream.
Make the Move to Scenic Colorado
Colorado is the perfect place for those looking for a new chapter filled with nature, small-town vibes, and an interesting history. Residents often fall in love with the numerous parks and forests, allowing for a more active and calm lifestyle. But the final moving decision all depends on priorities. Those seeking a remote mountain setting may find that Silverton is the best fit. Homebuyers looking for abundant job opportunities may prefer Brighton or Evans, while those wanting affordability might find that Trinidad is the right choice. No matter the decision, Colorado has numerous areas and many different lifestyles just waiting for potential homebuyers to call home.
