Best small towns to live in Colorado

1. 1
   Wray, CO Score 89/100

   2,114 people · typical home $173k · household income $57k · 37 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 24% of CO · 1.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

2. 2
   Springfield, CO Score 75/100

   1,384 people · typical home $134k · household income $48k · 77 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 69% of CO · 1.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

3. 3
   Meeker, CO Score 75/100

   2,580 people · typical home $286k · household income $67k · 168 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 7% of CO · 1.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

4. 4
   Woodland Park, CO Score 73/100

   7,949 people · typical home $549k · household income $99k · 60 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 22% of CO · 2.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

5. 5
   Julesburg, CO Score 69/100

   1,181 people · typical home $149k · household income $44k · schools in the top 42% of CO · 4.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

6. 6
   Telluride, CO Score 67/100

   2,160 people · typical home $721k · household income $102k · 96 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 2% of CO · 2.0% unemployment · 28 mi to a hospital

7. 7
   Salida, CO Score 67/100

   5,861 people · typical home $649k · household income $70k · 67 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 12% of CO · 2.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

8. 8
   Lamar, CO Score 64/100

   7,611 people · typical home $153k · household income $53k · 9 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 78% of CO · 5.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

9. 9
   Gypsum, CO Score 64/100

   8,941 people · typical home $633k · household income $116k · 46 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 43% of CO · 1.0% unemployment · 20 mi to a hospital

10. 10
    Limon, CO Score 63/100

    1,678 people · typical home $219k · household income $66k · 610 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 14% of CO · 2.0% unemployment · 22 mi to a hospital

11. 11
    Dacono, CO Score 62/100

    6,530 people · typical home $483k · household income $105k · 163 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 28% of CO · 3.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

12. 12
    Aspen, CO Score 61/100

    6,756 people · typical home $980k · household income $74k · 85 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 13% of CO · 2.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

13. 13
    Eaton, CO Score 61/100

    5,867 people · typical home $476k · household income $106k · 120 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 46% of CO · 5.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

14. 14
    Bayfield, CO Score 61/100

    2,901 people · typical home $413k · household income $93k · 36 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 61% of CO · 6.0% unemployment · 24 mi to a hospital

15. 15
    Paonia, CO Score 60/100

    1,661 people · typical home $344k · household income $60k · 47 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 34% of CO · 5.0% unemployment · 26 mi to a hospital

16. 16
    Akron, CO Score 59/100

    1,722 people · typical home $208k · household income $57k · 103 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 72% of CO · 2.0% unemployment · 17 mi to a hospital

17. 17
    Park Center, CO Score 59/100

    2,588 people · typical home $386k · household income $72k · 99 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 47% of CO · 2.0% unemployment · 11 mi to a hospital

18. 18
    Nederland, CO Score 59/100

    1,655 people · typical home $707k · household income $123k · 180 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 4% of CO · 4.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

19. 19
    Mountain Village, CO Score 58/100

    2,185 people · typical home $2.0M · household income $53k · 70 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 2% of CO · 4.0% unemployment · 28 mi to a hospital

20. 20
    Wiggins, CO Score 58/100

    1,564 people · typical home $363k · household income $92k · 186 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 48% of CO · 3.0% unemployment · 15 mi to a hospital

21. 21
    Holyoke, CO Score 58/100

    2,382 people · typical home $259k · household income $52k · 21 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 67% of CO · 4.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

22. 22
    Penrose, CO Score 57/100

    4,087 people · typical home $309k · household income $88k · 99 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 51% of CO · 7.0% unemployment · 21 mi to a hospital

23. 23
    Eagle, CO Score 57/100

    7,442 people · typical home $695k · household income $110k · 67 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 43% of CO · 2.0% unemployment · 26 mi to a hospital

24. 24
    Hot Sulphur Springs, CO Score 57/100

    1,108 people · typical home $390k · household income $107k · 296 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 17% of CO · 4.0% unemployment · 17 mi to a hospital

25. 25
    Sanford, CO Score 57/100

    1,142 people · typical home $172k · household income $42k · schools in the top 26% of CO · 9.0% unemployment · 15 mi to a hospital

How we ranked them

Every small town in Colorado with 1,000–15,000 people that stands on its own (not part of a big metro core, by USDA rural-urban codes) and has solid Census data. Each town is scored against the others in Colorado on: affordability (household income vs. home prices), safety (violent crime, FBI), schools (reading proficiency vs. other Colorado districts), jobs (unemployment, half weight) and everyday access (distance to a hospital and a grocery store, quarter weight each). Missing numbers count as average.

The "best" town is different for everyone — weather, size, politics, things to do and more all matter too.

All places in Colorado →