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Moving to Denver, Colorado: The 2026 Guide
Moving to Denver in 2026? Here is what to know before you move to Colorado: what homes cost in Denver and every major suburb, where to live for the commute and the lifestyle you want, the weather and altitude, taxes, getting around, and how to buy a home from out of state. The home prices on this page come from 13,069 closed sales in the Denver metro from April to September 2026, pulled from the MLS by the Kenna Real Estate Group.
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Denver in 30 seconds
$600,000 Denver median sale price April to September 2026 | 5,280 ft Elevation The Mile High City |
4.4% Colorado income tax One flat rate | 1 hour To the mountains I-70 to the foothills and beyond |
Where to live: Denver and the suburbs compared
The Denver metro is a ring of cities, and each one trades price for commute, age of homes and lifestyle. Here is what a home sold for in each, from our MLS data.
| Area | Median sale price | Per sq ft | Sales (6 months) | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver homes for sale | $600,000 | $360 | 1,704 | The city itself: historic bungalows, lofts and high-rises, light rail, the most walkable blocks in the metro |
| Aurora homes for sale | $475,000 | $247 | 2,105 | The metro's biggest suburb east of Denver: the most homes for the money, close to the airport |
| Lakewood homes for sale | $575,000 | $302 | 880 | West of Denver against the foothills: Red Rocks, Bear Creek, the W Line light rail |
| Arvada homes for sale | $635,000 | $301 | 1,091 | Northwest: Olde Town Arvada, the G Line, quick access to Golden and I-70 |
| Littleton homes for sale | $650,000 | $303 | 1,766 | Southwest: historic downtown Littleton, the C Line, the Platte River trail |
| Centennial homes for sale | $660,000 | $283 | 729 | South: the Tech Center, Cherry Creek State Park, established neighborhoods |
| Highlands Ranch homes for sale | $730,000 | $294 | 685 | South: master-planned, four rec centers, 70+ miles of trails |
| Parker homes for sale | $685,000 | $269 | 1,024 | Southeast: Mainstreet, the Cherry Creek trail, newer homes |
| Castle Rock homes for sale | $697,000 | $265 | 970 | Douglas County halfway to Colorado Springs: the Rock, newer communities |
| Thornton homes for sale | $525,000 | $266 | 900 | North: newer subdivisions, the N Line, E-470 to the airport |
| Westminster homes for sale | $535,000 | $284 | 502 | Northwest: Standley Lake, Boulder Turnpike access |
| Broomfield homes for sale | $635,000 | $305 | 713 | Between Denver and Boulder: the Flatiron corridor employers |
Median sale price by area, April to September 2026
Want a closer look at one area? Every city page above has live listings and its own guide. Prefer a home near transit or trails? See homes near light rail, homes near trails and walkable neighborhoods.
The good, the bad and the honest
What people love
- The mountains an hour away, and trails from almost every neighborhood
- Sun most of the year and dry air: snow melts fast
- Four major-league teams playing within two miles of downtown
- A job market spread across health care, aerospace, tech, energy and government
- Low property taxes compared with most of the country
What takes getting used to
- Home prices well above the national median
- I-25 and I-70 traffic, and ski-weekend traffic on I-70
- Hail: roofs, cars and homeowners insurance
- Altitude and dry air the first few weeks
- Wildfire smoke some summer days
What to watch out for when you move to Denver
- Picking a suburb from a map. Drive the commute at 7:30 AM and 5:00 PM before you sign. I-25 through the Tech Center and US-36 at rush hour change the math on a "20-minute" drive.
- Metro district taxes in newer communities. Many newer Colorado neighborhoods pay an extra metro district levy on top of regular property tax to pay off roads and parks. Ask for the full tax bill, not the county average.
- Radon. Much of the Front Range tests high for radon. Test during the inspection; a mitigation system costs far less than walking away.
- Expansive soil. Front Range clay swells and shrinks. Look for cracked foundations, sloping floors and sticking doors, and ask whether the home has a structural engineer's report.
- Old sewer lines. Scope the sewer line on any home built before the 1980s: clay pipes and tree roots are common and expensive.
- Hail and insurance deductibles. Many Colorado policies carry a separate wind and hail deductible of 1% to 2% of the home's value. Read it before you buy.
- Wildfire zones. Homes against the foothills cost more to insure and some carriers will not write them. Get a quote before your inspection deadline.
- Buying sight unseen without seeing the street. Ask your agent for a video of the block, the backyard noise and the drive to the nearest grocery store, not only the listing photos.
Weather and altitude
- Snow: about 57 inches a year in the city, mostly in storms that melt within days. The deep snow is in the mountains.
- Summer: hot, dry days with afternoon thunderstorms. Hail season runs May through August.
- Altitude: drink more water, wear sunscreen in January, and give yourself a week before a hard hike.
Getting around
- Highways: I-25 runs north and south, I-70 east to the airport and west to the mountains, C-470 and the E-470 toll road ring the south and east suburbs.
- RTD light rail and trains: the A Line runs from Union Station to Denver International Airport; the C, D, E, H, R and W lines reach the southern and western suburbs. A local fare is $2.75; the airport fare is $10.
- Bikes: the Cherry Creek and Platte River trails connect downtown to the suburbs without a street crossing for miles.
Your first 90 days in Colorado: the checklist
- Set up Xcel Energy (gas and electric) and your water provider before move-in.
- Get a Colorado driver's license within 30 days.
- Register your vehicle within 90 days; many metro counties require an emissions test first.
- Register to vote and update your address with your bank and insurer.
- Shop homeowners and auto insurance: hail changes Colorado premiums.
- Ask your employer about Denver's $5.75-a-month Occupational Privilege Tax if you work in the city.
Buying a home before you move
Most of our relocation buyers start from out of state. We tour homes live on video, send the HOA documents, inspection and appraisal electronically, and close with remote signing. Start with relocating to the Colorado Front Range, run your payment in the Colorado mortgage calculator, compare the cost of living in Denver, and check this week's Colorado mortgage rates. A $600,000 home with 10% down runs about $4,383 a month at this week's rate, taxes, insurance and PMI included.
Still deciding where? Read Denver's coolest neighborhoods, downtown Denver homes, Denver high-rise condos, new construction homes, 55+ communities and the city market reports.
Denver metro homes from $550,000 to $650,000, updated daily
1269 Properties Found
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$609,500
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3
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6528 S Cody Way, Littleton, CO 80123
MLS#: 2710810
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Denver metro homes from $550,000 to $650,000, updated daily Market Stats
1269
Homes Listed
67
Avg. Days on Site
$325
Avg. $ / Sq.Ft.
$601,200
Med. List Price
Quick answers
Is it expensive to move to Denver?
Housing is the big cost. The Denver median sale price was $600,000 from April to September 2026, and one-bedroom apartments rent for $1,400 to $1,900 a month. Property tax and energy costs are low, so the gap closes the further you get from housing. See the cost of living in Denver breakdown.
What are the best suburbs of Denver to live in?
It depends on the trade-off you want: Aurora and Thornton for the most home for the money, Lakewood and Arvada for the foothills, Littleton and Centennial for established neighborhoods close to the Tech Center, Highlands Ranch and Parker for newer master-planned communities with trails and rec centers.
How bad are Denver winters?
Shorter than most people expect. Denver averages about 57 inches of snow a year, but storms melt off in a few days because of the sun and the dry air. The mountains get the deep snow; the city gets cold snaps, then 50-degree afternoons.
How long does it take to adjust to the altitude in Denver?
Most newcomers feel it for a few days to a couple of weeks: shortness of breath on stairs, dry skin, and alcohol hitting harder. Drink more water than you think you need and use sunscreen year-round.
How soon do I need a Colorado driver's license and plates?
Colorado gives new residents 30 days to get a Colorado driver's license and 90 days to register a vehicle. Many metro counties also require an emissions test before registration.
Can I buy a home in Denver before I move?
Yes. We tour homes on video, send the inspection and HOA documents electronically, and close by remote signing for buyers still living out of state. Most relocation buyers fly in once, after they have narrowed the list.
Is Denver a buyer's market in 2026?
Closer to balanced than it has been in years. More homes are for sale, sellers are offering closing costs and rate buydowns, and 43% of sellers in some suburbs cut their price this year. Buyers have room to negotiate.
Should I rent first or buy right away when moving to Denver?
Rent first if you do not know which side of town your job or life will center on; commutes across the metro change everything. Buy right away if you know the area, because rent here runs close to a mortgage payment on a condo or townhome.
Where to go next
Ask about moving to Denver
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