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I'm Brian Lee Burke, and I've been a REALTOR since 2003. Highlands Ranch and Denver's Central Park (formerly Stapleton) are both large master-planned communities, one an unincorporated suburb in Douglas County and the other a Denver neighborhood built mostly since 2000. Here's how they 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
In ZIP 80238, which covers most of Central Park, the median home sold for $763,500 over the year ending October 28, 2026, against $705,000 in Highlands Ranch. Central Park is inside Denver, with Central Park light rail station; Highlands Ranch is unincorporated Douglas County with the HRCA. Central Park's homes are newer, mostly built since 2000.
| Highlands Ranch | Central Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sold, 12 mo | $705,000 | $763,500 (ZIP 80238) |
| Sales, 12 mo | 1,156 | 480 |
| Price per sq ft | $292 | $319 |
| For sale, Oct 29 | 225 | 96 |
| Government | Unincorporated Douglas County | City and County of Denver |
| Rail | None inside | Central Park Station (A Line) |
| Big parks | Backcountry Wilderness Area | Central Park (76 acres), Westerly Creek Park (87) |
| Median year built | 1997 | About 2010 |
| Tax total (2025) | 98.821 mills (most common) | 79.602 mills |
MLS data pulled October 29, 2026: Highlands Ranch by mailing city; Central Park by ZIP 80238. Park acreage: Denver Parks parcel data. Year built: ACS 2020–2024 (Highlands Ranch) and ACS 2017–2021 by Denver neighborhood (Central Park).
Denver's records show the neighborhood's official name changed from Stapleton to Central Park in August 2020, after a resident vote. Most of its homes were built since 2000; Denver's neighborhood data shows about 93% from 2000 or later. Highlands Ranch began in 1981, and its median year built is 1997.
Updated all day from the MLS.
ZIP 80238 had 480 sales at a median of $763,500 over the year, and 96 homes for sale on October 29, 2026: 50 single-family homes, 35 townhomes and 11 condos. Highlands Ranch had 1,156 sales at $705,000 and 225 for sale. Every 80238 listing showed an HOA fee, as did all but one in Highlands Ranch.
Updated all day from the MLS.
Denver's 2025 total is 79.602 mills, about $3,780 a year on a $700,000 Assessor value. Highlands Ranch's most common total is 98.821 mills, about $4,580, plus the $696 HRCA assessment. Check the exact parcel and the HOA documents in either one.
Central Park Station is on the A Line between Union Station and Denver International Airport. Highlands Ranch has no station inside it; Littleton–Mineral, County Line and Lincoln are nearby. Drive your real commute at rush hour.
Highlands Ranch may make more sense if you want:
Central Park may make more sense if you want:
More: 19 Things to Know BEFORE Moving to Highlands Ranch, Central Park area guide.
Call or text, or send us a message, and we'll answer your questions about any home or neighborhood.
Yes. Denver's records show the neighborhood's name changed from Stapleton to Central Park in August 2020.
Central Park's ZIP 80238 had a $763,500 median vs $705,000 in Highlands Ranch for the year ending October 28, 2026.
Yes, Central Park Station on the A Line.
Both are planned communities with HOAs. I'd decide on Denver vs Douglas County, rail access and home age.
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.
