Maybe the most famous mountain town in Colorado, Vail is located in the Rocky Mountains about two hours west of Denver (if youre lucky enough not to hit the notorious traffic on I-70). Salida is a cozy mountain town located where the, , including rafting and some history tours, and if youre a fan of hot springs, youll be pleased to learn that its only about a, 10 minute drive to the relaxing Poncha Springs, Salida also has plenty of cultural significance. Its famous for its historic architecture and a great artistic culture, and although it mainly caters to tourists, its also quaint and homely. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Trinidad is a wonderful place for those who enjoy the great outdoors, and with its highly attractive cost of living and low home prices, it is the most affordable mountain town in Colorado. 22 Best Places to Live in Colorado Updated with 2023 Data, The 8 Best Places to Live in Southern Colorado in 2023, 7 Best Small Towns in Colorado to Raise a Family 2023 Update, 8 Richest Neighborhoods in Colorado in 2023 | Most Expensive Places to Live in Colorado, Colorado Springs vs Fort Collins Unbiased Guide | 2023 Update, Breckenridge vs Vail 2023 Guide Summer & Winter Adventures. The medical facilities of Gunnison Valley Health or Crested Butte Medical centers are up-to-the-mark. There are also breweries to check out, and all in all, this is a very affordable place to live. La Junta (Population: 7,568) This eastern Colorado town is home to Otero Junior College and average annual mortgage payments of only $4,447! Leadville is the highest town in North America sitting over 10,000 feet above sea level offering sheer Centennial State beauty than you can imagine. It is also the highest town in all of North America, at over 10,000 feet above sea level. Make a splash this summer in the mountain town of Buena Vista. The town is located at the base of Pikes Peak, which is one of Colorados highest mountains at 14,115 feet. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Its pretty and very interesting. You have permission to edit this collection. where all the residents know each other, feel connected, and help each other out. Located right near Breckenridge, Frisco is one of the best mountain towns in Colorado which sits about an hour and a half away from Denver. Massive, two of Colorado's highest peaks. Longmont. The best mountain towns near Denver include: There are a lot of incredible mountain towns in Colorado and nearly all of them are stunning. Framed by the San Juan Mountains, you can explore plenty of nearby hiking trails. One of the best hikes in Telluride is Bridal Veil Falls, which starts right from the end of town. It sees a lot of tourists during the warmer months, and has a, , or try out some white water sports when the weather is hot. Whatever you do, though, dont forget to visit Keystone Lake since you can ice skate here in the winter and paddleboard/canoe here in the summer. Among other things in Telluride are the Sheridan Opera House (a performing-arts venue) and the Telluride Gallery of Fine Art. Here is our privacy policy that outlines how we handle your data. This makes visiting these sought-after landscapes relatively simple (with a little planning of course). Overall, the most affordable mountain towns in Colorado based on cost of living and home prices are: They all offer a relatively cheap way of life high in the mountains so that you can experience a quiet and rugged life for an affordable price.
Top 9 Affordable Ski Resorts in Colorado Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. Crested Butte is a remote town in Gunnison County where you can only breathe the fresh mountain air and no industrial population. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its cost of living index is 15% below the Colorado average. Youll never regret starting a family here as youll live a more organic and sustainable life. Mancos features a small-town feel where almost all of. Success! Alamosa. Although its still on the list of cheap mountain towns in Colorado, partly thanks to its amazingly low living costs and median home prices being below $250,000, Alamosa is one of the bigger towns on this list. It was winter and upon that it was my birthday. One of Colorado's most popular skiing and snowboarding destinations, Steamboat Springs still serves up a serious amount of fun for summertime visitors, especially if you happen to like cowboy hats. Therefore, during your visit, you can escape the chaos of the city and get back to the tranquility of nature with a visit to Lake Dillon. Your email address will not be published. Georgetown Lake is another popular attraction, drawing visitors every season. The streets of Mancos, the oldest building like Columbine Bar, quaint shops, and vibrant murals on the stalls make the town very inspirational and artistic. Leadville is about a two-hour ride from Denver. Though Idaho Springs has a lot of population, it is still anaffordable mountain town in Colorado. One of the most beautiful towns in Colorado is Crested Butte, which sets itself apart from other summer destinations with its spectacular wildflower season. Stroll your way downtown where you'll find everything from trendy mountain boutiques to outdoor gear stores, and a colorful collection of restaurants and breweries. Manitou Springs air has the power to rejuvenate your mind and make you feel the best about yourself. Living in one of the best mountain towns in Colorado is a lot different than visiting. Here is our terms & conditions that stipulates how you can use this site. Of all the affordable mountain towns in Colorado, this might be one of the best for getting out into nature. A mountain bikers paradise, Crested Butte is filled with trails and Nordic ski routes around town. Its also only 50 minutes from Mount Elbert, which makes it an ideal spot for anyone who wants to spend time out and about in nature. Colorado Business Review 2022 states that Colorado outperformed in job recovery after the pandemic and became one of the 14th states in offering more stable jobs. Overall, the atmosphere is friendly and the community is tight-knit, which is critical for such a small town. As the name suggests, Pagosa Springs has some incredible hot springs, but you can also enjoy things like trail riding, Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park, a ski resort, and rafting experiences. There's an artist community here, which means good galleries, and tubing in the summer on the North St. Vrain Creek that winds through town. Sitting snug in Brush Creek Valley surrounded by 3,000 acres of mountain terrain, Snowmass Village is home to the monumental Snowmass Ski Area, the second-largest in Colorado. . Error! This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to some of the most-well-preserved archaeological sites in the U . 11 must-visit mountain towns for this summer in Colorado. From here you can drive to reach Twin Lake, a destination to spot the views of clear alpine water. Its less than an hour drive from, ts historic architecture and a great artistic culture. 11. Located along the famous Million Dollar Highway (one of the most beautiful drives in Colorado) this small mining town holds on to its immense charm making it one of the best mountain towns in Colorado. However, because of the towns location deep within the Rocky Mountains, visitors can also stop by the Curecanti National Recreation Area and see the Blue Mesa Reservoir. On average the total cost of living for a single adult is $36,642 per year. The downtown area of Steamboat Springs is just as exciting and vibrant as the outdoor adventure scene. Canon City With a population of about 16,750 you may be surprised that Caon City, Colorado made it on our list of the most affordable places to live.But this small town is nestled right at the base of the Rocky Mountains and offers a wide variety of things to do. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". However, the jobs are seasonal and low wages positions. With so many options, it stands out among the small towns in Colorado. Boulder, Golden, and Morrison have amazing mountain views while still being close to the action of bigger cities like Denver. Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, which contains an even higher density of artifacts, and the Anasazi Heritage Center, a museum dedicated to the lives of the people who lived in the area 1,400 years ago, are nearly within walking distance of the town. Anglers will find fish aplenty thanks to the town's locale at the headwaters of the Rio Grande and San Juan rivers. Whatever you do though, dont miss BrewSki in March. Ouray. Even the famous visitors cant overshadow attractions like the Maroon Bells. If you like national historic sites, you will also fall in love with this town. And because the city's median income is $115,069, Portland has the fourth best home price to income ratio in colorado. 5. Please see our disclaimers to learn more about our site. However, the jobs are seasonal and low wages positions. Youll surely love this mellow vibe and beautiful life here. If you want to check out the fall foliage, try to go during the week or expect to wait in some serious traffic. Everyone dreams about living a quaint and rugged life in the Rocky Mountains, but many of the famous ski towns like Aspen, Vail, Telluride, and Breckenridge have gotten way too expensive in the last few years. Summertime is also when Vail hosts some of its signature events, including Vail America Days, Kids Adventure Games, and the Vail Craft Beer and Rocky Mountain Burger Battle. Climbers with ice tools and crampons flock to the Ouray Ice Park for some frozen fun, and the pros join in at the annual Ice Climbing Festival. You can hit the trail on the best Vail hikes, backpack to Gore Lake, bike the ski hills, or take a scenic gondola ride. The median home value here is just $189,600, less than the national home value of $204,900 on average. With the lower than average cost of living, this will appeal to anyone looking for cheap mountain towns in Colorado. This is a wonderful place to be if you value peace and greenery, and most of the activities around the town reflect that. Heres. Heres a map of the state to get oriented. 1. Estes Park is home to the Rocky Mountain National Park. Ouray is about a five-and-a-half-hour ride from Denver. County: Logan. Be sure to pay a visit to the Breckenridge troll. This popular Colorado town is aperfect vacation destination in the US for people looking for incredible mountain views, historic natural treasures, and spectacular hiking trails.