9 Cheapest Places to Live in Colorado, 2022

There are a few things to know before moving to Colorado. For starters, it's essential to get a good idea of the cost of living in Colorado and what city you'd like to settle down in.

When you consider the vivid landscape filled with rivers, plateaus, canyons, mountains, and forests, it's no wonder this state is such a popular destination, consistently attracting new residents. Who wouldn't want to live in a beautiful, mountainous place like Colorado?

Thankfully, despite its increasing popularity, some of the best places to live in Colorado are also some of the most affordable. So if you're looking for the best deal, here's a look at six of the cheapest places to live in Colorado.

Note: The data provided below comes from our rent estimates. These numbers expand beyond those listed on our platform. For further information, learn about our methodology.

Colorado State Average Rent Prices

Before you go apartment hunting, get an idea about the average rents around Colorado.

• The average rent for a Colorado studio apartment is: $1,429.95
• The average rent for a Colorado one-bedroom apartment is: $1,497.63
• The average rent for a Colorado two-bedroom apartment is: $1,853.71
• The average rent for a Colorado three-bedroom apartment is: $2,332.68

Brighton, CO

• Population: 39,836
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,391
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 12.30%
• Median Household Income: $75,355
• Walk Score: 36
• Transit Score: 18
• Bike Score: 49

Brighton was founded in the 1870s as a railroad depot and farming community. Despite its landlocked location, it was named after Brighton Beach in New York. Today, the area balances urban and rural living with proximity to Denver, Aurora, and Lakewood.

Brighton attracts newcomers for its low cost of living, proximity to urban areas like Denver, and job opportunities. The majority of the population in Brighton are families looking for well-regarded schools and professionals commuting into Denver. The area is home to manufacturing opportunities, retail jobs at the Prairie Center, and agritourism.

Like most of Colorado, Brighton is home to plenty of stunning landscapes and outdoor recreation. The city is close to Barr Lake State Park for hiking, nature photography, and wildlife watching. The popular Eagle Tour offers a glimpse of eagles nesting in the winter.

For something more competitive, the Buffalo Run Golf Course offers golf with spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. Hobbyists head over to the Colorado Clays Shooting Range for skeet, sporting, and trap clays while enjoying views of snow-capped mountain peaks.

There are also opportunities for a little art and culture without heading into Denver. You can learn more about Brighton at Main Street Gallery, take in a local exhibit, and study something new like feather art. For a casual bite, Big Choice Brewing and Pizza and La Estrellita Restaurant serve casual bites in a lively atmosphere.

Learn more about the average rent in Brighton.

Colorado Springs

• Population: 464,871
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,461.67
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 17.12%
• Median Household Income: $64,712
• Walk Score: 36
• Transit Score: 19
• Bike Score: 45

Located in El Paso County near the base of Pikes Peak on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains is Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs is one of the best places to live in Colorado, which is why many young professionals and families call it home. There's plenty to do with countless parks and coffee shops for individuals or families of all ages.

Colorado Springs is a great place to call home for the outdoorsy type. Some of the best hiking trails can be found here, such as Red Rock Canyon, Mount Cutler, Muscoco Trailhead, or Pulpit Rock Park.

Kids can enjoy some of the many playgrounds found around town, like at the America the Beautiful Park Fantasy Playground, Nancy Lewis Park, or Swing High Playground at Memorial Park.

On rainy days, there's still plenty to do in Colorado Springs. Check out the National Museum of World War II Aviation, Glen Eyrie Castle, the Olympic Training Center, or the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Afterward, grab a bite to eat at Carlos Bistro, Lake Terrace Dining Room, or Urban Egg.

There's no denying the beauty found all around Colorado Springs. After all, Pikes Peak found in the city was the inspiration behind the song "America the Beautiful." But, along with all that beauty comes an excellent blend of metropolitan convenience and rugged history.

Learn about the average rent in Colorado Springs.

Loveland

• Population: 76,972
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,489.67
• Median Household Income: $68,592
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 21.24%
• Walk Score: 30
• Bike Score: 46

The city of Loveland officially dates back to its establishment in 1881, although many believe earlier settlers arrived in 1858 and created Miraville. The story goes that one of the settlers established a stagecoach station that became Fort Namaqua.

Although it's situated along the Front Range, Loveland is an affordable community without compromising on the quality of life. Loveland also retains its small-town feel and is home to one of the most well-regarded school districts in the state. It’s an attractive place for families, professionals, and millennials looking for a laid-back lifestyle while enjoying the beauty of Colorado.

While locals career climb in Denver, many stick around Loveland to take advantage of the growing economy. Job opportunities include options in the bioscience industry, medical devices, veterinary supplies, and chemical testing kit manufacturing.

Despite its cozy charm, Loveland is Northern Colorado's third-largest city and home to one of the largest sculpture gardens in the U.S. You're also not far from Boyd Lake State Park and the borders of the Rocky Mountain National Park. True to its name, Loveland is dubbed The Sweetheart City and hosts an annual Valentine mailing program and celebration.

You can head into Denver and Fort Collins for nightlife and dining, or enjoy the booming food scene in Loveland. Craft beer is plentiful at stops like Grimm Brothers Brewhouse, which also brews the city's annual Sweetheart City's annual Valentine's Day beer. For farm-to-table food, Mo' Betta Gumbo serves up creole and gumbo dishes and Nordy's serves some of the region's best BBQ. You can eat, work, and play without leaving Loveland’s city limits.

Learn more about the average rent in Loveland.

Fort Collins

• Population: 165,609
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,545
• Median Household Income: $65,866
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 17.73%
• Walk Score: 37
• Transit Score: 28
• Bike Score: 78

Rumor has it that French-Canadian fur traders stumbled upon Fort Collins in the 1800s and buried large amounts of gunpowder along the Cache la Poudre River (powder in French) to lighten their load. The area also offered shelter to travelers along the Overland Trail and eventually housed a general store, a small hotel, a mill, a school, and a post office. However, when the Colorado Railroad arrived in 1877, the area of Fort Collins turned into a booming and profitable agricultural center.

Fort Collins still retains much of its western charm and roots, with excellent historic tours. It's easy to see why the city landed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations.

Fort Collins ‘proximity to Denver and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains make it a desirable place for professionals and families. The city is also home to Colorado State University, making it an ideal option for college students. Outdoor lovers feel right at home in Fort Collins among its 285 miles of city trails. After all that cycling, craft beer is plentiful.

Career climbers don't need to head into Denver to take advantage of job opportunities, as Fort Collings has a growing tech industry, manufacturing industry, and the state and federal government. Many companies have settled in Fort Collins for its access to top talent and research facilities at Colorado State University.

There's plenty to do in Fort Collins around Downtown and Old Town. Beyond historic stops, festivals, breweries, and a monthly Gallery Walk and Foodie Walk are popular pastimes that gather the community together. Live music is also common while locals dine outdoors and sip on craft beer or fresh coffees.

Learn more about the average rent in Loveland.

Arvada

• Population: 118,746
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,641.33
• Median Household Income: $84,717
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 15.67%
• Walk Score: 35
• Transit Score: 23
• Bike Score: 50

In both Adams and Jefferson counties lies one of the many suburbs of Denver — Arvada. Residents in Arvada enjoy the dense suburban lifestyle while still being close to more metropolitan areas within the state. As such, Arvada is known for being a predominantly commuter town of Boulder and Denver.

The Historic Olde Town Arvada, located just seven miles northwest of Denver, offers countless restaurants and live entertainment options for visitors and locals. On the weekends, Olde Town Arvada booms with fun for families of all ages. Take part in weekend adventures in this historic area like farmer's markets, pub crawls, or costume contests.

Arvada has a 3,400-acre outdoor system, including trails, open spaces, and parklands. The park system alone includes over 90 neighborhood parks, with residents able to find one park every ten minutes walking. Some of the best parks in Arvada include Ralston-Central Park, Lake Arbor Park, and Wolff Park Arvada.

Make sure to also check out the Cussler Museum, the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, and the Field of Corpses Haunted Attraction. When you're done with exploring for the day, grab a bite to eat at Yak and Yeti Restaurant and Brewpub, SchoolHouse Kitchen and Libations, or the Arvada Tavern..

Learn more about the average rent in Arvada.

Longmont

• Population: 94,445
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,641.33
• Median Household Income: $74,242
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 16.72%
• Walk Score: 39
• Transit Score: 25
• Bike Score: 58

In 1870, a group from Chicago decided to start a town in Colorado and sell memberships that they dubbed the "Chicago-Colorado-Colony." They raised enough money for 60,000 acres in northern Colorado and built a small town called Longmont.

With a dry climate and rich soil, the founders figured out how to build a large irrigation ditch to bring water from area rivers to grow crops. Industry soon followed, including mills and vegetable canneries to turn Longmont into a flourishing city.

Known as LOCO (Longmont, Colorado), the city is situated around 40 miles from Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins for access to the best of Colorado. Professionals come for job opportunities in manufacturing, healthcare, retail, tech, food services, construction, and education services. Longmont’s reputable schools are also a draw for families looking to settle in for an affordable cost of living.

Agrotourism, arts, and crafts keep locals busy and draw visitors to the area. Sustainable farming is part of the culture of the surrounding Longmont area, with farm-to-table restaurants and dairy farms offering cheese-making workshops.

For a culture fix, galleries, performance arts, and music venues including the Longmont Symphony Orchestra entertain guests. Like much of Colorado, Longmont also boasts several breweries, distilleries, and a cidery with year-round events.

You can spend the day outdoors in Longmont hiking the trails, biking through the city, and kayaking on the Union Reservoir. St. Vrain State Park offers fishing and in winter months, locals snowshoe on Rabbit Mountain.

Learn more about the average rent in Longmont.

Castle Rock

• Population: 62,417
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $,1694.33
• Rent Increase in the Past Year: 15.94%
• Median Household Income: $109,700
• Walk Score: 11
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 40

Directly between Denver and Colorado Springs is Castle Rock, the picturesque town that lies along with the front range of the Rocky Mountains. If you're in it for the views, you can rest assured that moving to Castle Rock will not disappoint.

Not only will you be able to take advantage of Castle Rock’s rolling acres of nature trails, mesas, and buttes, you also get to live in a place that is rapidly growing. The steady population growth in Castle Rock means plenty of options for dining and entertainment throughout the town.

The town got its name from the Castle Rock butte, located just north of the town center. However, residents can also enjoy beautiful views of Pikes Peak, Mount Evans, Devils Head, and Dawson Butte. Check out some of the favorite local hikes at Rock Park Loop Trail, Mitchell Creek Canyon Trail, and Ridgeline Open Space Loop for the explorers.

While new dining options are constantly popping up throughout the town, it's worth making a stop at local icons, such as Manna Restaurant, Scileppi at The Old Stone Church, Damascus Grill, Fish and Company, and Castle Cafe.

Learn more about the average rents in Castle Rock.

Lakewood

• Population: 155,146
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,700.33
• Rent Increase in the Past Year: 14.65%
• Median Household Income: $66,740
• Walk Score: 43
• Transit Score: 31
• Bike Score: 56

Lakewood was first settled during the late 19th century when the president of the Colorado Central Railroad was looking for a community to retire in. He selected an area west of Denver and the area became a summer retreat for the wealthy. When Lakewood became part of the Denver Tramway Corporation, Lakewood became an attractive option for year-round living. Industries soon followed, including the Remington Arms Company ammunition factory. The site is now home to the Denver Federal Center.

Professionals and families love Lakewood for its proximity to Denver and urban amenities while enjoying a laid-back lifestyle. Future job growth is strong in Lakewood at 44.1%, which is well above the projected 33.% U.S. average. Major employers include federal agencies, state and local government, education, healthcare, medical device manufacturing, and financial services.

At less than eight miles to Downtown Denver, there are plenty of opportunities to grow a career. With a relatively affordable price tag, college students also make themselves at home at Colorado Christian University and Frederick Community College.

Despite the proximity to Downtown Denver, Lakewood offers stunning scenery and outdoor opportunities. Bear Creek Lake Park offers 15 miles of trails, archery, equestrian areas, and boating for a day outdoors. For premier shopping, Colorado Mills sprawls across 1,100,000 square feet of retail space for clothes, shoes, accessories, and home furnishings.

Locals head to the Belmar Downtown District for an evening out at some of the 80 businesses, restaurants, cafes, live music venues, and entertainment options. The vibrant 40 West Arts District is filled with galleries, performing arts venues, and colorful murals.

Learn more about the average rent in Lakewood.

Aurora

• Population: 369,111
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,733.67
• Median Household Income: $65,100
• Rent Change in the Past Year: 16.88%
• Walk Score: 43
• Transit Score: 35
• Bike Score: 53

Aurora is the third most populated city in Colorado, with nicknames such as the Gateway to the Rockies and the Sunrise of Colorado. Falling across multiple counties, including Douglas, Arapahoe, and Adams, Aurora is immediately east of Denver.

While some say Aurora is the less exciting suburb of Denver, we respectfully disagree. Aurora is full of life, with a thriving arts and culture scene for everyone to enjoy. There are multiple places for you to be able to emerge yourself in the scene. You can catch an edgy show at the Vintage Theater, other live performances at the Aurora Fox Arts Center, or see the exhibits at the Aurora History Museum.

Adult residents of Aurora can take advantage of the countless craft breweries and taprooms. Some of the local favorites include Ursula Brewing, Launch Pad Brewery, Pilothouse Brewing Company, and Dry Dock Brewing Co. If you're not big on beer but still interested in checking out the libations in the area, you can stop by Haykin Family Cider.

There are tons of trails in the Aurora area for those who like to get outdoors and stretch their legs. Enjoy the 123-acre wildlife park at Bluff Lake Nature Center Loop, or check out some of the other popular hikes at the Aurora Reservoir, Quincy Reservoir, or the Wetland and Cherry Creek Trail Loop.

Learn more about the average rent in Aurora.

Cheapest Cities in Colorado Data

Learn more abou the average rent prices in Colorado and their yearly growth.

Final Thoughts - Where Should I Move to in Colorado?

Whether living smack dab against the base of the Rocky Mountains like in Castle Rock or enjoying the hustle of a metropolitan area like Aurora, there's something there for everyone in Colorado. Thankfully, some of the best places to live in Colorado are also the cheapest places.

If you're concerned about the cost of living in Colorado, learn about the true cost of renting. You can also consider subletting, living in a short-term rental, or finding a move-in special!

So, if you are interested in moving to Colorado, now might be a good time to start your research. First, find out more information about the cost of living in Colorado. Next, register with Apartment List today and start checking out the thousands of available apartments to rent in Colorado!