Located right near Breckenridge, Frisco is one of the best mountain towns in Colorado which sits about an hour and a half away from Denver. Paoniaisa veryaffordable Colorado mountain town,as a single adult expenses here, are around $39,303 annually about the same as the annual cost of living for Colorado of $40,026. The nearby mountains offer plenty of options for biking, hiking, and camping. Learn more about her journey at gleesonreboots.com. The skiing is world-class, but theres so much more to Telluride. 1. Population: 2,484. Instead of mining for gold, though, youll search for jackpots at one of the small towns nine casinos. Everyone dreams about living a quaint and rugged life in the Rocky Mountains, but many of the famous ski towns like Aspen, Vail, Telluride, and Breckenridge have gotten way too expensive in the last few years. It is themost affordable mountain town in Coloradoto taste history and sweet treats. Photo Credit: kojihirano (iStock). Framed by the San Juan Mountains, you can explore plenty of nearby hiking trails. Large elk herds roam the town freely. You can buy a home that cost around $179,100, which is very less compared to the national median home value. If youre looking for a posh mountain experience, look no further than Aspen, Colorado. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, with its opportunity to sled the tallest sand dunes in North America, is just an hour away. In terms of living costs, its 4 percent lower than the national average, with cheap groceries but more expensive healthcare. You can watch wild donkeys too here! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. And, I believe, the most scenic towns in Colorado - tucked in mountains are affordable too. Idaho Springs is not only acheap place to live in Colorado Mountainsbut a great place to stop to reach the famous Colorado ski resorts. , including a wildlife refuge, Splashland, a recreation center, a brewery, a climbing wall, and much more. As one of the most well-known mountain towns in the state, Vail is the perfect summer escape. This makes Glenwood Springs one of the best mountain towns in Colorado if youre looking for unique things to see and do. You can also enjoy the hot springs when you visit Ouray. Its an old family town where all the residents know each other, feel connected, and help each other out. Worry not though, magazine House Beautiful has listed the most affordable mountain towns in the USA to make that dream a reality. Im sure youll have some great memories here! Ices Lakes Pictured. Stop by the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum and then take the Route of the Silver Kings to learn some mining history. Head southwest to Durango for unforgettable treks found within the San Juan National Forest. What isnt to love about being able to ride side by sides and snowmobiles down Mainstreet? The population of 18,465 in 2017 makes it probably Colorado's largest mountain town too. Whatever you do, though, dont forget to visit Keystone Lake since you can ice skate here in the winter and paddleboard/canoe here in the summer. Hunters come looking for game like elk, pheasant, and moose in the surrounding White River National Forest and the Grand Mesa area, while spelunkers love to explore the limestone caves at Rifle Falls State Park (pictured), also known for its soaring 80-foot triple waterfall. Colorado mountain resort towns offer great escapes for skiers and snowboarders, but let me tell you a local secret: visiting these idyllic places outside of ski season can be much more affordable and much less crowded.Contrary to popular belief, mountain resort towns aren't just skiing destinations; there are also plenty of things to do in the warmer months to cater to various interests . As the name suggests, Pagosa Springs has some. Meanwhile, campers can pitch their tents in the nearby Gunnison National Forest with primitive to full-service amenities. Your email address will not be published. Mesa Verde National Park, with thousands of archeological sites, including 600 well-preserved cliff dwellings that housed Ancestral Puebloans, is just 20 minutes away. Fraser. Visitors are easily charmed by the town's natural beauty. It sits 10,000 feet above sea level. Where is the cheapest place to live in the mountains in Colorado? - 2023 It is also the highest town in all of North America, at over 10,000 feet above sea level. 7.) The rivers and lakes are so blue that they make the sky appear washed out. The downtown area of Steamboat Springs is just as exciting and vibrant as the outdoor adventure scene. Heres how you can explore the best of the Centennial State like a local, not a tourist. Crested Butte is a remote town in Gunnison County where you can only breathe the fresh mountain air and no industrial population. Northern Colorado's Fort Collins was named one of the 100 Best Places to Live in part due to the strength of its business community, which features a mix of major employers like Anheuser Busch, Hewlett-Packard, Kaiser Permanente, Wells Fargo and Xcel Energy, as well as innovative . The air in Paonia smells all fruity! Jill Gleeson is a travel journalist and memoirist based in the Appalachian Mountains of western Pennsylvania who has written for websites and publications including Good Housekeeping, Womans Day, Country Living, Washingtonian, Gothamist, Canadian Traveller, and EDGE Media Network. 1. Elbert, Attend Leadvilles signature events like Leadville Boom Day, You can take the Historic train rides at the historic Buttle Theatre, Go for antique artifacts like Jail Museum and the Heritage Centre, Hike the Rainbow trail through Sangres to witness gorgeous views of the State, I recommend going to Venable Comanche Trail too, Enjoy the adrenaline rush with Liquid Descent Whitewater Rafting. Photo Credit: Jesse Stephens (iStock; file photo). In the summer, you can take an incredible hike to Ice Lake or backpack sections of the Colorado Trail. Affordable Mountain Towns in Colorado Our Research Methodology, The Affordable Mountain Towns in Colorado for 2023, Affordable Mountain Towns in Colorado Summary, The 16 Best Places to Live in Florida for 2023, Here are the 12 Cheapest Beach Towns in California, 12 Stunning Resorts in Florida for Every Budget, California vs Florida - Our Full Comparison, 12 Cheapest (and Safest) Cities to Live in Florida in 2023, 8 Fastest Growing Small Towns in Texas in 2023 Charming & Desirable, What is a Good Salary in Florida in 2023? And because the city's median income is $115,069, Portland has the fourth best home price to income ratio in colorado. 2. A median home value is around $183,300, less than the national median home value of $204,900. If you'd like to get on top of the rock rather than within it, the park serves up world-famous climbing, too. This timeKelvindid not want to take me for aromantic getaway in Colorado Spring rather he told me he has planned a surprise for me. There's an artist community here, which means good galleries, and tubing in the summer on the North St. Vrain Creek that winds through town. 9 Of The Best Mountain Towns In Colorado After all, this vibrant body of water has an amazing, 19-mile-long, paved, loop walkway that will take you all around the perimeter of the lake. Therefore, during your visit, you can escape the chaos of the city and get back to the tranquility of nature with a visit to Lake Dillon. Wildlife is wild, and can often act unpredictably. Population: 5,430 Cost of Living Index: 3% Below Colorado Average Median Home Price: $545,000. From here you can drive to reach Twin Lake, a destination to spot the views of clear alpine water. It sees a lot of tourists during the warmer months, and has a, , or try out some white water sports when the weather is hot. A single adult on average spend $37,668 annually less than the annual cost of living for Colorado of $40,026. Youll fall in love with thissmall mountain town in Coloradowhich sits at an elevation of 7,867 feet. On average, adults working in Crested Butte pay a tax of $6,252 annually whereas working adults statewide offer an average of $7,011. You can also go dog sledding through the Colorado mountains or spend your days fly fishing or golfing. Its also only 50 minutes from Mount Elbert, which makes it an ideal spot for anyone who wants to spend time out and about in nature. What are the cutest towns in Colorado? - 2023 This post may contain affiliate links. Any local will tell you there's no better spot for tubing in the summer than the Yampa River. The Affordable Mountain Towns in Colorado for 2023. Therefore, during your visit, you can escape the chaos of the city and get back to the tranquility of nature with a visit to Lake Dillon. Also, Ive good news for young adults. What is the most affordable mountain town in Colorado? Donkey Derby Days are the most beloved events Cripple Creek has to offer. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Contents1 Where is the [] What is the best small town to live in Colorado? Also, it is the most wonderful green space in the USA. 5. Another reason to visit the mountain town is the Animas River. At only 2.5 hours from the Mile High City, its a great weekend trip from Denver. Often referred to as high-country playground, the 265,769 acre-park is known for its awe-inspiring landscape. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. If you're feeling extra adventurous, make the trek from Crested Butte to Aspen. Whether you want to summit a 14er in the Sawatch Range, shred the gnar on some single track, hike to an alpine lake, or raft Browns Canyon, you wont run out of things to do in Buena Vista. Also,asingle adult health care expense costs around $3,826 per year, compared to Colorado which cost $ 4,266 a year. At nearly 9,000 feet at the summit, the mountain offers 700 feet of vertical downhill. If you love reading, read the books of Louis LAmour, youll know why he loves Mancos so much! Population: 2,690 Cost of Living Index: 7% Below Colorado Average Median Home Price: $492,000. At Mesa Verde National Park in southern Colorado, visitors can retrace the ancient footsteps of the ancestral Puebloans who once lived in the park's magnificent cliff dwellings, and the entrance fee is affordable. One of the best hikes in Telluride is Bridal Veil Falls, which starts right from the end of town. The town sits at an elevation of 6,320 feet. It is also just an hour and a half from Colorado Springs. Aspen has plenty of outdoor recreation year-round. Population: 797 Cost of Living Index: 6% Below Colorado Average Median Home Price: $490,000. Lamar is a small plains town about 3 hours east of Pueblo and southeast of Colorado Springs. After visiting a few of these distinctive affordable Colorado towns, you can settle there permanently. Discovering The Best 26 Reasons: What is Colorado Known for? If you want to fall in love with some amazing scenery and try some great hiking trails, this is a fantastic place to live for all country-loving souls that want to escape from the chaotic rush of living in the big city, making it one of the best cheap mountain towns in Colorado. The best mountain towns near Denver include: There are a lot of incredible mountain towns in Colorado and nearly all of them are stunning. Also, if youre searchingfor cheapvacation spots in Colorado,it can be the best as you can spread out in the great outdoor activities. The waterway is saluted during the FibArk (First in Boating on the Arkansas) festival and there's a hot springs pool in town, too .