Where can you afford a house in Colorado? La Junta ($162k) is the cheapest. Pueblo ($265k) offers real city amenities. Trinidad ($237k) has an emerging art scene. Alamosa ($285k) is your gateway to Great Sand Dunes. The trade-offs are real: fewer jobs, longer drives, smaller towns. But if remote work is an option, these towns prove you don't need $600k to own a home in Colorado.
Cheapest overall: La Junta — $162,000
Best city value: Pueblo — $265,000
Best for art/culture: Trinidad — $237,500
Best outdoor access: Alamosa — $285,000
Closest to Denver: Fort Lupton — $471,000 (28 miles)
Best for mountain biking: Fruita — $447,300
The Southeast: Where Your Money Goes Furthest
The southeastern corner of Colorado doesn't get much love, but it's hands-down the cheapest part of the state. We're talking wide-open plains, small farming communities, and home prices that'll make Front Range residents weep with envy. The trade-off? You're pretty far from the mountains, and these towns are quiet—like, really quiet.
La Junta: The Absolute Cheapest ($162k)
Population: 7,033 | County: Otero | Median home price: $162,000
Location: View on Google Maps
If you want the absolute cheapest housing in Colorado, La Junta is your answer. This tiny farming town sits about 60 miles east of Pueblo, and it's best known for its sweet melons and connection to the Santa Fe Trail. You'll find Bent's Old Fort National Monument nearby if you're into history.
The local economy runs on farming, healthcare, and a few retirement communities. There's a small airport and a downtown business district with the basics. It's not flashy, but if you're looking to buy a house for the price of a used car in Boulder, this is the spot.
Best for: Retirees, remote workers, people who genuinely like small-town life
Skip if: You need mountains, nightlife, or anything resembling a city
Real talk: This is rural Colorado—you'll drive for groceries
Lamar: Bird Watching & Community Vibes ($215k)
Population: 7,375 | County: Prowers | Median home price: $215,000
Location: View on Google Maps
Lamar sits even further east than La Junta, but it has a surprising draw: the annual snow geese migration brings thousands of birders every year. The town has decent parks, access to John Martin Reservoir State Park, and a genuinely strong sense of community.
Healthcare and agriculture dominate the job market here. You're definitely trading mountain views for prairie sunsets, but if you want affordable family living and don't mind being off the beaten path, Lamar delivers.
Must-see: Snow geese migration in spring (it's actually incredible)
Jobs: Healthcare, farming, some retail
Distance to Denver: About 3 hours—not a day trip
Trinidad: The Art Scene Surprise ($237.5k)
Population: 8,134 | County: Las Animas | Median home price: $237,500
Location: View on Google Maps
Trinidad sits right on the New Mexico border, and it's got something the other southeast towns don't: a legitimate art scene and entrepreneurial energy. The historic downtown has actual galleries, restaurants, and shops that aren't just surviving—they're thriving.
You've got two state parks nearby (Trinidad Lake and Fishers Peak), so outdoor recreation is covered. Young professionals are starting to discover Trinidad, which means prices will probably climb, but right now it's still affordable. If you want small-town Colorado with a creative community, this might be your spot.
Rising market alert: Prices are going up as artists and remote workers move in
Outdoor access: Two state parks within 30 minutes
Cultural bonus: Actual restaurants and galleries downtown
The Northeast Plains: Farms, Wind & Affordability
Colorado's northeastern plains are all about agriculture, wide-open spaces, and some of the best bird watching in the state. These towns won't win beauty contests, but they offer solid community living without the price tag.
Sterling: The Biggest Town Out East ($211.5k)
Population: 12,714 | County: Logan | Median home price: $211,500
Location: View on Google Maps
Sterling is the most populated city east of Pueblo, which means it actually has infrastructure: a regional airport, a junior college, good schools, and local parks. It's a farm and ranch community through and through, but families genuinely like it here.
If you're raising kids and want affordable housing with actual amenities (not just a gas station and a Dollar General), Sterling is worth considering. You get hiking, golfing, and a real sense of Western culture.
Family-friendly: Good schools and parks
Education: Junior college for higher education
Job market: Agriculture-dominated, some retail and services
Fort Morgan: History & Green Spaces ($295.9k)
Population: 11,756 | County: Morgan | Median home price: $295,900
Location: View on Google Maps
Fort Morgan sits 82 miles northeast of Denver—close enough to make occasional trips to the city, far enough to escape the crazy housing prices. The town has a historic downtown, tons of green spaces, and hosts the Glen Miller SwingFest every year (honoring the legendary musician who was born here).
Jobs come from agriculture processing: there's a Cargill meatpacking plant, a Leprino Foods cheese factory, and a large Dairy Farmers of America facility. It's industrial, but it's work.
Distance to Denver: 82 miles—doable for occasional trips
Big employers: Cargill, Leprino Foods, agricultural operations
Cultural draw: Glen Miller SwingFest and vibrant music scene
The Mystic San Luis Valley: Weird, Beautiful & Cheap
The San Luis Valley is one of Colorado's most unique regions—it's the largest alpine valley in the world, home to the Great Sand Dunes, and honestly just weird in the best way. You've got an alligator farm, a UFO watchtower, and some of the poorest counties in the state. It's beautiful, isolated, and definitely not for everyone.
Walsenburg: Coal Town Turned Cannabis Hub ($186k)
Population: 3,022 | County: Huerfano | Median home price: $186,000
Location: View on Google Maps
Walsenburg sits on the edge of the San Luis Valley in what's called the Spanish Peaks Region. This town was built on coal, and while that industry has shrunk, Walsenburg is now betting big on cannabis. Cheap rent and a marijuana-friendly business environment have attracted entrepreneurs.
The downtown is charming, and there's a growing art scene thanks to the Museum of Friends. Fair warning: Huerfano County is the poorest in Colorado, so economic opportunities are limited. But if you're okay with a quiet, artsy, small-town vibe and want the cheapest mountain-adjacent living you can find, this is it.
Cheapest near mountains: $186k gets you within striking distance of peaks
Growing industry: Cannabis business-friendly
Real talk: Limited jobs outside of tourism and cannabis
Alamosa: Gateway to the Sand Dunes ($285k)
Population: 9,955 | County: Alamosa | Median home price: $285,000
Location: View on Google Maps
Alamosa is the biggest city in the San Luis Valley and the base camp for visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park. Downtown has shops, restaurants, museums, and Adams State University brings in students and track athletes (the elevation makes it perfect for training).
You're in a great spot for outdoor activities: hiking, biking, skiing at Wolf Creek, and the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad draws thousands of tourists annually. The local economy runs on farming (potatoes and hops), tourism, and education.
Outdoor access: Great Sand Dunes, Wolf Creek Ski Resort, endless hiking
College town: Adams State University adds younger energy
Main industries: Tourism, agriculture, education
Pikes Peak Region: Bigger Cities, More Jobs
The Pikes Peak region includes Colorado Springs and Pueblo—the state's second and third largest metro areas. These cities have actual economies, infrastructure, and things to do. They're pricier than the plains, but still way cheaper than Denver.
Pueblo: Steel City Revival ($265k)
Population: 110,397 | County: Pueblo | Median home price: $265,000
Location: View on Google Maps
Pueblo sits just under two hours south of Denver, and it's seeing a surge of Front Range refugees who can't afford Denver anymore. The town is deeply rooted in Hispanic culture, hosts the Colorado State Fair, and has a revitalized riverwalk that's actually pretty nice.
The steel industry is still alive here with Evraz Rocky Mountain Steel, and agriculture is huge—Pueblo is known for melons, vegetables, and those famous Pueblo chiles. It's a real city with over 110,000 people, so you get amenities, jobs, and culture.
Best value: Actual city living under $300k
Jobs: Steel, agriculture, healthcare, retail
Cultural draw: Colorado State Fair, Hispanic heritage, riverwalk
Distance to Denver: 1 hour 45 minutes—weekend trips are doable
Cañon City: Royal Gorge & River Life ($321.8k)
Population: 17,253 | County: Fremont | Median home price: $321,800
Location: View on Google Maps
Cañon City sits in the Royal Gorge region, near the famous bridge and park. The town claims the longest Main Street in America, has several state prisons (Fremont County is prison central), and a growing wine and cidery scene.
The Arkansas River runs through town, making it paradise for outdoor people: mountain biking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting are all huge here. Many residents work for the Colorado prison system, but younger families are starting to move in as the local economy diversifies.
Outdoor paradise: Rafting, climbing, biking all world-class
Growing scene: Wineries and cideries popping up
Main employer: Colorado prison system (like it or not)
Tourist draw: Royal Gorge Bridge brings visitors year-round
The Western Slope: Mountains, Mesas & Mountain Bikes
Southwest Colorado has some of the most stunning landscapes in the state—from the San Juan Mountains to Mesa Verde's ancient cliff dwellings. Prices are higher here because people want to live near this scenery, but compared to mountain towns like Aspen or Telluride, these are still bargains.
Cortez: Ancient History Meets Outdoor Access ($299.9k)
Population: 9,105 | County: Montezuma | Median home price: $299,900
Location: View on Google Maps
Cortez sits between Mesa Verde National Park and Ute Mountain Tribal Park—two of the most impressive archaeological sites in the U.S. It's a small, quiet town that doesn't get much hype, but outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs genuinely love it here.
Amenities are limited, and it's rural, but if you want to live near incredible hiking, ancient ruins, and genuine Southwest Colorado beauty without paying Telluride prices, Cortez is solid.
History nerd paradise: Mesa Verde, Ute Mountain Tribal Park minutes away
Outdoor access: Hiking, camping, climbing all nearby
Trade-off: Limited dining, shopping, nightlife
Fruita: Mountain Bike Mecca ($447.3k)
Population: 13,930 | County: Mesa | Median home price: $447,300
Location: View on Google Maps
Fruita is pricier than most towns on this list, but it's still "affordable" compared to other mountain biking destinations. The town is exploding in popularity thanks to world-class trails, proximity to Colorado National Monument, and access to wine country.
Downtown is quiet—just a few shops and restaurants—but the outdoor scene is what brings people here. If mountain biking is your life and you want to be near incredible trails without paying Moab or Crested Butte prices, Fruita works.
Mountain biking: Some of the best trails in Colorado, period
Scenery: Red rocks, mesas, Colorado National Monument
Growing fast: Prices climbing as more people discover it
Real talk: Not cheap, but cheaper than other mountain bike towns
Northwest Colorado: Remote, Wild & Quiet
Northwestern Colorado borders Utah and Wyoming, and it's one of the most remote parts of the state. You get millions of acres of national forest, Steamboat's champagne powder nearby, and a whole lot of nothing in between.
Craig: Elk Hunting Capital ($224k)
Population: 9,170 | County: Moffat | Median home price: $224,000
Location: View on Google Maps
Craig sits 45 minutes west of Steamboat Springs, and it's basically the opposite of that resort town in every way. It's remote, quiet, and known as the "elk hunting capital of the world." Hunters come from everywhere during season.
You've got direct access to Routt and White River National Forests, so outdoor recreation is covered. Jobs come from mining, oil and gas, and construction. Don't expect many restaurants or shops—this is a working town, not a tourist destination.
Cheapest near Steamboat: Access to ski resort without resort prices
Outdoor access: National forest everywhere
Job market: Mining, oil/gas, construction—that's about it
Remote level: Very—you're driving for everything
Rifle: I-70 Convenience, Mountain College ($472.5k)
Population: 10,597 | County: Garfield | Median home price: $472,500
Location: View on Google Maps
Rifle sits along I-70 just west of Glenwood Springs, and it's often used as a cheaper alternative to staying in Glenwood. The town is home to Rifle Falls State Park and has a Colorado Mountain College campus, which brings in younger people.
It's quiet and doesn't have a ton going on, but the I-70 access means you're connected to the rest of the state. If you work remotely or commute occasionally to Grand Junction or Glenwood, Rifle gives you mountain living without completely breaking the bank.
I-70 access: Easy to reach other mountain towns
Natural attraction: Rifle Falls State Park is legitimately beautiful
College town: Colorado Mountain College campus adds some energy
Pricey for this list: Almost $500k—not exactly cheap anymore
Front Range Alternatives: Still Expensive, But Less So
These aren't cheap by national standards, but compared to Denver, Boulder, or Colorado Springs, they're deals. If you need to stay near the Front Range for work but can't stomach Denver prices, these might work.
Greeley: College Town With Jobs ($412k)
Population: 119,544 | County: Weld | Median home price: $412,000
Location: View on Google Maps
Greeley is 63 miles northeast of Denver and 31 miles from Fort Collins—prime location if you need Front Range access. There's a legit downtown with events, a craft beer scene, and the University of Northern Colorado brings in students and energy.
JBS—the world's biggest meat protein producer—employs thousands here, so jobs exist beyond just service industry stuff. You get museums, historical sites, and access to outdoor recreation. It's not cheap anymore, but it's cheaper than Fort Collins or Denver.
Location, location: Close to Denver and Fort Collins
Jobs: JBS meatpacking, university, agriculture
College town: University of Northern Colorado adds culture
Growing fast: Prices climbing as people flee Denver
Fort Lupton: Denver Proximity on a Budget ($471k)
Population: 10,776 | County: Weld | Median home price: $471,000
Location: View on Google Maps
Fort Lupton sits just 28 miles northeast of Denver on the South Platte River. It's rural and quiet, but the proximity to Denver is the real selling point. You get city parks, an 18-hole golf course, and quirky attractions like the Vintage Aero Flying Museum.
Jobs come from agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. Aims Community College is in town. Honestly, the biggest draw is simply being close to Denver without paying Denver prices—though at $471k, those savings are shrinking fast.
28 miles from Denver: Close enough to commute
Shrinking savings: Prices climbing toward Denver levels
Still rural: Small-town feel despite proximity to city
The Bottom Line
Affordable Colorado exists—you just have to leave the Front Range to find it. The trade-offs are real: fewer jobs, longer drives, smaller towns. But if remote work is an option or you're ready for a slower pace, these 15 towns prove you don't need $600k to own a home in Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest town to live in Colorado?
La Junta has the lowest median home price at $162,000. It's in southeastern Colorado, about 60 miles east of Pueblo. The trade-off is limited amenities and a 3-hour drive to Denver.
Where can I buy a house under $200k in Colorado?
La Junta ($162k), Walsenburg ($186k), and Lamar ($215k) all have median home prices under or around $200k. These are all smaller towns in rural parts of the state.
What's the most affordable city with real amenities?
Pueblo ($265k) is your best bet. It's a real city with 110,000 people, a downtown, hospitals, the Colorado State Fair, and actual job opportunities. It's also just under 2 hours from Denver.
Are there affordable towns near Denver?
Fort Lupton ($471k) is 28 miles from Denver, and Greeley ($412k) is 63 miles away. These aren't cheap by national standards, but they're significantly less than Denver's $600k+ median. For truly affordable housing, you'll need to go further out.
What's the best affordable mountain town?
Walsenburg ($186k) is the cheapest town near mountains—it's in the Spanish Peaks region. Alamosa ($285k) offers better amenities and access to Great Sand Dunes. For ski access, Craig ($224k) is 45 minutes from Steamboat Springs.
Why are some Colorado towns so cheap?
The affordable towns tend to be far from the Front Range, have limited job markets, and lack the amenities that drive prices up. Many rely on agriculture, mining, or prisons for employment. Remote work has made some of these towns more viable for people who don't need to commute.
Are these prices accurate for 2025?
These are median home prices as of late 2024/early 2025. Real estate prices change constantly, and some towns (especially Trinidad and Fruita) are seeing rapid appreciation as more people discover them. Always check current listings for the most accurate pricing.
Can I work remotely from these towns?
Internet quality varies significantly. Larger towns like Pueblo, Greeley, and Alamosa have reliable high-speed internet. Smaller towns like La Junta, Lamar, and Craig may have limited options. Always verify internet availability before committing to a move.