Find Affordable Mountain Towns in Colorado

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Find the Best Small, Affordable Mountain Towns in Colorado

Finding affordable mountain towns in Colorado is possible once you look beyond Colorado's resort communities. Many of these Rocky Mountain towns are rich in history, culture, and recreational attractions. The cost of living in these quaint mountain towns is much lower than in Colorado’s high-profile resort towns. Depending on where a town is located, there can be a variety of attractions nearby.

If skiing or riding brings you to Colorado, look at the map of Colorado’s ski resorts and investigate the towns between the resorts. Consider your other priorities: skiing is only five months out of the year. Perhaps you like fishing, sailing, mountain biking, or accessing hiking trails. Silverthorne is an example of an area surrounded by ski resorts with access to Lake Dillion, National Forests, and various mountain communities. However, the cost of living in this area is still higher than average, indexed at 141, which is higher than the national average but way cheaper than Aspen, which is indexed at 305.

The easiest way to find affordable mountain towns that will fit your needs is to understand where you fit into the national cost of living index. The index of 100 represents the national average cost of living. Anything higher than 100 is that percent more expensive and visa-versa.

If you’re willing to be a little more out of the way, towns like Pueblo, Colorado, which has an index of only 87, and Hartsel Co., which is 109, are options.

Try touring Colorado when you’re ready to do some exploring. The summer months are the easiest time to travel around as driving conditions are best then. When you decide to move, you'll likely want to avoid doing so in the summer since, as this guide explains, it's the most expensive time to move in Colorado.

How to Evaluate an Inexpensive Mountain Town in Colorado?

Finding that affordable town in Colorado to move to that lives up to your expectations is about evaluating what’s important to you and your financial situation. Start by prioritizing what‘s important to you, which could be:

1. Community, schools, arts, and culture.

2. Outdoor opportunities, resorts, lakes, and public lands.

3. Cost of living, job opportunities, and types of jobs.

Buying a house or renting a place in Colorado’s highest-profile resort towns is mostly off-limits unless you are in the top financial percentile. Or, you have an opportunity to live there.

Affordable Colorado Towns

Below is just a sample of Rocky Mountain Colorado cities and small towns. A glance shows that there are plenty of affordable places to live.

Find the Best Colorado Mountain Town

Once you have narrowed Colorado’s affordable mountain towns and cities by the cost of living index, it’s time to take a closer look at what these towns offer. Understanding what’s important to you will help you find that special place. Many of Colorado’s small mountain communities have much more to offer than you might think.

Roadtrip and Explore Affordable Mountain Towns

Take a road trip through Colorado when you’re ready to explore. The summer months are the easiest time to travel, as driving conditions are best. Have fun and work in camping, backpacking, hiking, 4x4 adventures, rafting, visiting small museums, or whatever sparks your interest. Colorado is diverse, from farming to ski areas and coal mining to sailing or fishing in mountain lakes. It’s a place that welcomes people of many types. Once you find a suitable town to call home, check out this moving guide about hiring a mover and cost-saving tips.

Affordable Mountain Towns to Call Home

by Kathleen Fitzsimmons