Their price tags read like science fiction.
Meanwhile, twenty sensible towns are still practicing old-fashioned math.
The kind where housing costs don’t require winning the lottery first.
These communities prove that Colorado living doesn’t have to cost more than a small country’s GDP.
1. Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo sits along the Arkansas River in southern Colorado. The city has a rich steel-making history that shaped its character for over a century.
You’ll find some of the lowest housing costs in the state here. The median home price runs about 40% below the Colorado average.
Pueblo also offers surprising cultural depth. The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk winds through downtown with shops and restaurants.
Why It’s On This List: Pueblo combines rock-bottom living costs with genuine cultural amenities that many retirees crave.
2. Canon City, Colorado
Canon City earned its fame as the gateway to the Royal Gorge Bridge. This small town of about 17,000 people sits in a valley surrounded by dramatic red rock formations.
Housing here costs significantly less than most Colorado mountain towns. You’re better off looking at Canon City if you want mountain access without mountain prices.
The town offers easy access to hiking trails and fishing spots. Plus, the climate stays mild year-round thanks to its protected valley location.
Why It’s On This List: Canon City delivers outdoor recreation and affordable housing in one package – perfect for active retirees on a budget.
3. Alamosa, Colorado
Alamosa anchors the San Luis Valley in south-central Colorado. This college town hosts Adams State University, which brings energy and cultural events to the community.
The cost of living here runs well below the state average. Housing prices stay reasonable because of the town’s rural location.
That’s why many retirees choose Alamosa for mountain living without the tourist crowds. The Great Sand Dunes National Park sits just 30 minutes away.
Why It’s On This List: Alamosa offers college town amenities and stunning natural beauty at prices that won’t break your retirement budget.
4. Montrose, Colorado
Montrose serves as the commercial hub for Colorado’s Western Slope. The town sits at the intersection of several major highways, making it a natural gathering place.
You’ll find housing costs here about 25% below the state average. The town offers all the basics – good healthcare, shopping, and restaurants.
Montrose is growing fast. Home prices have been climbing as more people discover this hidden gem.
Why It’s On This List: Montrose provides small-town charm with big-town amenities, all while maintaining affordable living costs for now.
5. Delta, Colorado
Delta built its economy on agriculture and still maintains that rural character today. Peach orchards and cattle ranches surround this town of about 9,000 people.
Housing here stays remarkably affordable. You can find decent homes for half what you’d pay in Denver or Boulder.
The town sits along the Gunnison River with easy access to outdoor recreation. Grand Mesa National Forest provides hiking and camping opportunities nearby.
Why It’s On This List: Delta offers genuine small-town living with agricultural roots and housing prices that make retirement dollars stretch further.
6. Gunnison, Colorado
Gunnison sits in a high mountain valley at 7,700 feet elevation. Western Colorado University calls this town home, bringing cultural events and educational opportunities.
The cost of living here runs below most Colorado mountain communities. Housing stays affordable partly because of the town’s remote location.
You’re better off in Gunnison if you want true mountain living without resort town prices. The surrounding wilderness offers world-class fishing and hunting.
Why It’s On This List: Gunnison combines authentic mountain living with college town culture at prices that make sense for retirees.
7. Salida, Colorado
Salida has transformed from a railroad town into an arts community. The historic downtown features galleries, studios, and creative businesses.
Housing costs here stay reasonable compared to other artistic mountain towns. The median home price runs about 30% below Aspen or Telluride.
That’s why many artists and retirees have discovered Salida. The Arkansas River runs right through town, offering world-class whitewater rafting.
Why It’s On This List: Salida delivers mountain town charm and artistic culture without the sky-high prices of famous resort destinations.
8. La Junta, Colorado
La Junta grew up around the railroad and still celebrates that heritage today. The town sits on the plains of southeastern Colorado.
You’ll find some of the most affordable housing in the entire state here. The cost of living runs significantly below the national average.
La Junta offers more than just low prices. Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site sits nearby, preserving frontier history.
Why It’s On This List: La Junta provides rock-bottom living costs with genuine historical character that appeals to history-minded retirees.
9. Trinidad, Colorado
Trinidad sits near the New Mexico border in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This historic town once served as a major stop on the Santa Fe Trail.
Housing here costs a fraction of what you’d pay in most Colorado towns. The Victorian architecture gives the downtown area real character.
The town offers easy access to hiking and fishing in the nearby mountains. Plus, the climate stays mild thanks to the southern location.
Why It’s On This List: Trinidad combines Old West history with mountain access and housing prices that make retirement savings last longer.
10. Fort Morgan, Colorado
Fort Morgan anchors the agricultural region of northeastern Colorado. Sugar beet processing and cattle feeding drive the local economy.
The cost of living here runs well below the state average. Housing stays affordable because of the rural agricultural setting.
You’re better off in Fort Morgan if you prefer small-town life on the plains. The town offers good healthcare and shopping for its size.
Why It’s On This List: Fort Morgan provides genuine small-town living with agricultural character and living costs that stretch retirement income.
11. Sterling, Colorado
Sterling serves as the commercial center for Colorado’s northeastern plains. This town of about 14,000 people built its economy on agriculture and livestock.
Housing costs here stay remarkably low compared to most of Colorado. You can find quality homes for less than half the state median price.
The town offers surprising amenities for its size. Northeastern Junior College brings cultural events and educational opportunities to the community.
Why It’s On This List: Sterling delivers small-town charm with big savings on housing costs that make retirement budgets go much further.
12. Lamar, Colorado
Lamar sits in the Arkansas River Valley in southeastern Colorado. This agricultural town has served as a regional hub for farming and ranching for over a century.
You’ll find some of the lowest housing costs in the entire state here. The median home price runs about 60% below the Colorado average.
Lamar also offers good healthcare facilities for a small town. The community hospital serves the entire southeastern region.
Why It’s On This List: Lamar combines rock-bottom living costs with essential services that retirees need for comfortable small-town living.
13. Brush, Colorado
Brush grew up as a railroad town on the South Platte River. Today it serves the surrounding agricultural region with about 5,500 residents.
Housing here costs a fraction of what you’d pay in Denver or Colorado Springs. The small-town atmosphere appeals to people seeking a slower pace.
That’s why many retirees discover Brush when looking for affordable Colorado living. The town sits just an hour from Denver for occasional city visits.
Why It’s On This List: Brush offers genuine small-town living with easy access to big-city amenities when needed, all at budget-friendly prices.
14. Walsenburg, Colorado
Walsenburg sits in the Cucharas Valley surrounded by the Spanish Peaks. This historic town once thrived as a coal mining center.
The cost of living here runs well below the state average. Housing stays affordable because of the town’s quiet, off-the-beaten-path location.
You’re better off in Walsenburg if you want mountain views without mountain prices. The Spanish Peaks provide a dramatic backdrop for daily life.
Why It’s On This List: Walsenburg delivers stunning mountain scenery and historic character at prices that make retirement savings stretch.
15. Yuma, Colorado
Yuma anchors the agricultural region of northeastern Colorado near the Nebraska border. Corn and wheat farming drive the local economy.
Housing costs here stay among the lowest in Colorado. You can find decent homes for prices that seem impossible elsewhere in the state.
The town offers a genuine rural lifestyle with friendly neighbors. Main Street still serves as the heart of the community.
Why It’s On This List: Yuma provides authentic rural living with housing costs so low they’ll make your retirement dollars feel like they’ve doubled.
16. Holyoke, Colorado
Holyoke sits on the high plains of northeastern Colorado. This farming community of about 2,300 people maintains its agricultural roots.
You’ll find housing here at prices that seem too good to be true. The cost of living runs significantly below the national average.
Holyoke is truly rural. The nearest city of any size sits over an hour away.
Why It’s On This List: Holyoke offers the ultimate in affordable rural living for retirees who want peace, quiet, and minimal expenses.
17. Akron, Colorado
Akron serves the farming communities of eastern Colorado. This town of about 1,700 people sits in the heart of wheat country.
Housing costs here rank among the lowest in the entire state. You can buy a home for less than many people spend on a car.
The town offers a glimpse into traditional rural American life. Community events still bring neighbors together regularly.
Why It’s On This List: Akron delivers old-fashioned small-town living with housing prices that make retirement on a tight budget completely feasible.
18. Burlington, Colorado
Burlington sits along Interstate 70 in eastern Colorado. This town of about 3,000 people serves travelers and local farmers.
The cost of living here stays remarkably low. Housing prices make it possible to buy a home outright with modest retirement savings.
That’s why Burlington appeals to retirees seeking maximum affordability. The town offers basic services without big-city complications.
Why It’s On This List: Burlington provides simple living with incredibly low costs that let retirees live comfortably on minimal fixed incomes.
19. Limon, Colorado
Limon sits at the crossroads of major highways in eastern Colorado. This town of about 2,000 people serves as a regional transportation hub.
Housing here costs less than almost anywhere else in Colorado. You can find homes for prices that urban dwellers can barely imagine.
The town offers easy highway access to Denver and Colorado Springs.
You’ll live in genuine small-town quiet.
Why It’s On This List: Limon combines ultra-affordable living with convenient highway access to larger cities when you need urban amenities.
20. Eads, Colorado
Eads serves as the county seat for Kiowa County in southeastern Colorado. This town of about 600 people maintains its role as a regional center.
You’ll find housing costs here that defy belief. Homes sell for prices that wouldn’t buy a parking space in Denver.
The town offers a true frontier experience with wide-open spaces. Prairie landscapes stretch to the horizon in every direction.
Why It’s On This List: Eads provides the ultimate affordable Colorado experience for retirees who want maximum space and minimum expenses.