Best Cities for Colorado Mountain Real Estate

Colorado has long been one of America’s hidden treasures, but recently more and more people have been discovering it and flocking to the state. Denver might get the most attention, but Colorado’s mountain cities offer a way of living that you can’t find in any big city. Climbing up in elevation takes you away from the stress and mess of city living and into a whole new world of natural living. In the mountain cities of Colorado, you’ll find friendly people, clean air, and easy access to outdoor fun all year round. But while natural beauty is important, it isn’t everything, if you’re like most homebuyers you’re also thinking about economic opportunities. That’s why we’ve prepared this list of the top mountain cities in Colorado, balancing employment outlooks, home values, and air quality levels to find the best place to call home among the Colorado mountains.

1. Winter Park, CO

• • Estimated median household income in 2016: $84,331
  • Estimated median house or condo value in 2016: $405,753
  • Income to home value ratio: 0.21
  • Unemployment in 2015: 2.6%
  • Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2000: 23.9

2. Breckenridge

• Estimated median household income in 2016: $74,565
• Estimated median house or condo value in 2016: $541,835
• Income to home value ratio: 0.14
• Unemployment in 2015: 2.2%
• Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2000: 82.7

The city of Breckenridge is another big name destination for people who want to live in one of Colorado’s hotspots. As with Aspen, home values are high but so is the average household income. The city also boasts a very low unemployment rate, exemplifying Colorado’s healthy economy. One unfortunate fact about life in Breckenridge is that the air quality level is uncharacteristically low for the area. Still, it’s just about on par with the natural average. It just goes to show Colorado as a whole is way ahead of the rest of the nation in terms of air quality, not to mention natural beauty.

3. Aspen

• Estimated median household income in 2016: $71,207
• Estimated median house or condo value in 2016: $573,540
• Income to home value ratio: 0.12
• Unemployment in 2015: 2.7%
• Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2000: 35.6

Aspen might be one of the most well-known ski resort cities in the country. This is a great reason to visit it, but it also has drawbacks. The city of Aspen is a top destination, and demand has driven up home values. Still, because of the area’s natural beauty and name recognition, many find that living in Aspen is worth the high price tag. If you want to buy here then now is the time to buy. Real estate is booming in Colorado, and home prices are going to continue to go up, especially in cities like Aspen.

4. Leadville

• Estimated median household income in 2016: $43,542
• Estimated median house or condo value in 2016: $186,193
• Income to home value ratio: 0.23
• Unemployment in 2015: 3.1%
• Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2000: 34.3

Once upon a time, Leadville was one of the biggest cities in Colorado, trailing Denver in terms of population. Eventually, the mining industry that gave birth to the city dried up, and now the city is known as a tourist destination thanks to its beautiful surroundings and palpable sense of history. Leadville represents the more laidback side of Colorado, the median income here isn’t high, but the housing prices are low enough that finding an affordable house is easy enough. Leadville is also a little farther from the closest mountain, which is why the most popular outdoor activity here is biking. Still, great hiking and skiing is just a short drive away. Overall, Leadville is a great place to visit if you want to step back into Colorado’s storied past.

5. Crested Butte

• Estimated median household income in 2016: $61,870
• Estimated median house or condo value in 2016: $722,328
• Income to home value ratio: 0.09
• Unemployment in 2015: 2.2%
• Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2000: 35.6

The City of Crested Butte is named for the Rocky Mountain peak that rises up above the town. It’s a quaint city where you’re never far from the mountain and employment is easy to find. The jobs here aren’t the highest paying, but an incredibly low unemployment rate of 2.2% means that you shouldn’t have trouble finding a job. Of course, while comparing cities within Colorado, it’s important to remember the larger context. The unemployment rate in Colorado, as of writing, is 2.9% on average, which looks especially nice when you consider that the national average is 4.1%. Whether you’re looking to move to Crested Butte or another city you can trust that Colorado is the place to be if you’re a job seeker.