Relocating to different cities in CO can make sense for buyers who want a better overall homebuying fit, not just a lower list price. This guide is for Colorado relocation buyers comparing popular cities, with “popular” referring to places that attract home search interest and give buyers another option to evaluate. As you compare where to move, it helps to look beyond headline home prices and consider total monthly ownership costs, day-to-day living expenses, and whether a city matches your lifestyle priorities.
A study done by REALTOR® identified the most popular cities that people search for when looking for a new home in another area that is different from where they currently live.
According to Zillow, the average United States home value is $371,774.
Areavibes ranks American cities based on a livability score that considers many factors, which include the cost of living, crime, school, employment, and amenities. The livability score is a scale that goes up to 100.
Related: Housing Market Forecast
The cost of living is a big factor that impacts the quality of life for the average person. The cost of living includes the cost of housing, groceries, transportation, health care, utilities, and other goods and services. The national standard for America’s cost of living is set at 100.
The cost of living index in each city is a number that is higher or lower than 100. Higher figures than 100 represent a percentage higher than the national average. Lower numbers than 100 are cities that cost less than other cities in America.
When choosing between Colorado cities, home price should be only one part of the decision. A lower purchase price does not always translate into the better monthly budget fit, and a higher-priced city may still work if it reduces other recurring costs or better matches your priorities.
A practical way to compare cities is to estimate the full monthly ownership picture for each place you are considering:
As you narrow your options, compare cities using the same budget assumptions rather than just asking which market has the lowest prices. That makes it easier to identify which Colorado location best fits your payment comfort level and your long-term goals as a homeowner.
Do you have questions about mortgages in Colorado? We can help. Sammamish Mortgage is a local, family-owned company based in Bellevue, Washington. We serve the entire state, as well as the broader Pacific Northwest region that includes Oregon, Colorado, and Idaho. Since 1992, we have been offering a wide variety of mortgage programs and products with flexible qualification criteria. Please contact us if you have mortgage-related questions, or visit our website to get an instant rate quote.
Start with more than the asking price. Compare estimated mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, utilities, transportation needs, and the livability factors that matter most to your household. A city that looks cheaper at first glance may not be the best overall fit once monthly costs are added up.
Not always. Monthly housing cost depends on the loan amount, mortgage rate, taxes, insurance, and other recurring expenses. Looking only at home value can miss important differences in what ownership may actually cost each month.
Compare utilities, commuting costs, transportation needs, and other everyday living expenses in addition to housing-related costs. These can affect how affordable a move feels after closing.
It depends on your budget and priorities. A lower-cost city may help with purchase price, but a closer-in location may better support your commute, schedule, and lifestyle. The better choice is usually the one that balances monthly affordability with how you plan to live and work.
Use the home values you are seeing as a starting point, then estimate the likely loan amount and monthly payment for each city you are considering. Reviewing payment scenarios early can help you focus your search on places that fit both your financing plans and your monthly budget.
There is not one best city for every buyer. The right choice depends on home values, cost of living, monthly ownership costs, commute needs, amenities, and whether the city fits your lifestyle priorities.
Livability helps buyers look beyond price alone. Areavibes scores cities using factors such as cost of living, crime, schools, employment, and amenities, which can help you judge whether a city fits your day-to-day needs.
A figure above 100 means the city is more expensive than the national average. A figure below 100 means it costs less than the national average.
Yes. A higher-priced city may still work if it reduces other recurring costs, improves convenience, or better matches your long-term goals and lifestyle.
Using the same assumptions makes it easier to compare locations fairly. That helps you see which Colorado city best fits your payment comfort level instead of relying only on headline home prices.
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