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I'm Brian Lee Burke, and I've been a REALTOR since 2003. "Foothills or downtown" usually means Golden or Lakewood on the west side versus a condo in downtown Denver. They're different kinds of homes as much as different places. Here's how Golden and downtown Denver's ZIP 80202 compare, using MLS data I pulled on October 29, 2026 and official sources.
Call or text my team, and we'll compare any two addresses for you.
The short version
Over the year ending October 29, 2026, Golden's median was $890,000 on 767 sales, mostly single-family homes. Downtown Denver's ZIP 80202 had a $563,500 median on 200 sales, and 211 of its 214 homes for sale were condos. Golden sits at the foot of Lookout Mountain at the end of the W Line; downtown has Union Station.
| Golden | Downtown Denver | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sold, 12 mo | $890,000 | $563,500 (ZIP 80202) |
| Sales, 12 mo | 767 | 200 |
| Price per sq ft | $359 | $481 |
| For sale, Oct 29 | 249 | 214 |
| Mostly | Single-family homes (176) | Condos (211) |
| Avg days on market (for sale now) | 85 | 128 |
| Rail | W Line ends at Jefferson County Government Center–Golden | Union Station hub |
| Population (2025) | 20,390 | Denver: 740,613 |
MLS data pulled October 29, 2026: Golden by mailing city; downtown by ZIP 80202. Population: Census Vintage 2025.
Golden had 249 homes for sale on October 29, 2026, 176 of them single-family. Downtown's 80202 had 214, and 211 were condos. If you want a yard, the foothills side is where it is; if you want lock-and-leave, downtown has the inventory.
Updated all day from the MLS.
Golden's median was $890,000 ($359 a square foot). Downtown's was $563,500, at a higher $481 a square foot because the homes are smaller. Downtown condos for sale had averaged 128 days on market, against 85 in Golden, and the median downtown sale closed at 97.5% of list.
Updated all day from the MLS.
Golden sits at the foot of Lookout Mountain, with North and South Table Mountains between it and the rest of the metro. Lakewood, also on the foothills side, reports more than 7,400 acres of parks and open space. Denver's Mountain Parks system, about 14,000 acres outside the city, includes Red Rocks Park at 732.6 acres.
The W Line runs from Union Station through Lakewood and ends at the Jefferson County Government Center–Golden station. Downtown is the hub, with Union Station and the A Line to the airport. Drive your real commute from the address at rush hour.
The foothills (Golden) may make more sense if you want:
Downtown Denver may make more sense if you want:
More: Golden area guide, Lakewood area guide.
Call or text, or send us a message, and we'll answer your questions about any home or neighborhood.
Golden's median was $890,000 vs $563,500 in downtown's ZIP 80202 for the year ending October 2026, but downtown's price per square foot was higher.
Yes. The W Line ends at the Jefferson County Government Center–Golden station.
Almost all condos: 211 of 214 homes for sale in ZIP 80202 on October 29, 2026.
Start with the kind of home you want. Then compare commute, upkeep and how often you'll head for the mountains.
Call or text my office at 303-955-4220, or send us a message, and we'll pull the taxes, HOA, water and boundary details for any address in either one.
See what's for sale today in either one.
