The best suburb in the Denver area, according to data—plus, see the rest of the top 25

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Best suburbs in Denver

The GI Bill of Rights, Ike's interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.

Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023 . But a good location comes with a cost.

A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.

What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.

Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Denver. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.

Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Denver.

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#25. Columbine, Colorado

- Population: 25,940
- Median home value: $550,500
- Median rental price: $2,257

- Top schools nearby: D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (grade A+), DSST: Cedar High School (grade A), Littleton Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Colorado Academy (grade A+), Kent Denver School (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#24. Ken Caryl, Colorado

- Population: 33,505
- Median home value: $498,700
- Median rental price: $1,862

- Top schools nearby: D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (grade A+), Dennison Elementary School (grade A), Columbine High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Colorado Academy (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+), Mullen High School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#23. Applewood, Colorado

- Population: 7,985
- Median home value: $679,000
- Median rental price: $2,036

- Top schools nearby: D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (grade A+), DSST: Cedar High School (grade A), Dennison Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Colorado Academy (grade A+), Mullen High School (grade A), The Denver Waldorf School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#22. Golden, Colorado

- Population: 20,461
- Median home value: $698,700
- Median rental price: $1,712

- Top schools nearby: D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (grade A+), DSST: Cedar High School (grade A), Dennison Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Colorado Academy (grade A+), Mullen High School (grade A), The Denver Waldorf School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#21. The Pinery, Colorado

- Population: 10,534
- Median home value: $666,300
- Median rental price: $2,245

- Top schools nearby: STEM School Highlands Ranch (grade A), Altitude Elementary School (grade A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Regis Jesuit High School (grade A+), Mile High Academy (grade A), Lutheran High School (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

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#20. Castle Rock, Colorado

- Population: 74,065
- Median home value: $577,500
- Median rental price: $1,810

- Top schools nearby: Rock Canyon High School (grade A+), STEM School Highlands Ranch (grade A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Regis Jesuit High School (grade A+), Mile High Academy (grade A), Valor Christian High School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#19. Acres Green, Colorado

- Population: 2,627
- Median home value: $477,600
- Median rental price: $2,433

- Top schools nearby: STEM School Highlands Ranch (grade A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (grade A), Colorado Early Colleges - Douglas County (Castle Rock, Inverness, Parker) (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Kent Denver School (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+), Crescent View Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#18. Parker, Colorado

- Population: 58,733
- Median home value: $573,000
- Median rental price: $1,885

- Top schools nearby: STEM School Highlands Ranch (grade A), Altitude Elementary School (grade A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Kent Denver School (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+), Crescent View Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#17. Littleton, Colorado

- Population: 45,531
- Median home value: $552,100
- Median rental price: $1,554

- Top schools nearby: D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (grade A+), STEM School Highlands Ranch (grade A), DSST: Cedar High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Colorado Academy (grade A+), Kent Denver School (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#16. Castle Pines Village, Colorado

- Population: 4,462
- Median home value: $1,210,300
- Median rental price: $2,225

- Top schools nearby: Rock Canyon High School (grade A+), STEM School Highlands Ranch (grade A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Mary's Academy (grade A+), Crescent View Academy (grade A+), Regis Jesuit High School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

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#15. Erie, Colorado

- Population: 30,447
- Median home value: $644,300
- Median rental price: $2,650

- Top schools nearby: Peak to Peak Charter School (grade A+), Summit Middle Charter School (grade A), High Peaks Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Dawson School (grade A+), Watershed School (grade A), Holy Family High School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#14. Stonegate, Colorado

- Population: 9,770
- Median home value: $595,600
- Median rental price: $2,116

- Top schools nearby: STEM School Highlands Ranch (grade A), Altitude Elementary School (grade A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Kent Denver School (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+), Crescent View Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#13. Columbine Valley, Colorado

- Population: 1,928
- Median home value: $1,294,600
- Median rental price: $3,111

- Top schools nearby: DSST: Cedar High School (grade A), Littleton Academy (grade A), Wilder Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Colorado Academy (grade A+), Kent Denver School (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#12. Gunbarrel, Colorado

- Population: 10,108
- Median home value: $712,800
- Median rental price: $1,892

- Top schools nearby: Peak to Peak Charter School (grade A+), Fairview High School (grade A+), Boulder High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Dawson School (grade A+), Watershed School (grade A), September School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#11. Lone Tree, Colorado

- Population: 13,993
- Median home value: $768,800
- Median rental price: $1,891

- Top schools nearby: Rock Canyon High School (grade A+), STEM School Highlands Ranch (grade A), DSST: Cedar High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Kent Denver School (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+), Crescent View Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#10. Lafayette, Colorado

- Population: 30,295
- Median home value: $611,500
- Median rental price: $1,912

- Top schools nearby: Peak to Peak Charter School (grade A+), Summit Middle Charter School (grade A), High Peaks Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Dawson School (grade A+), Watershed School (grade A), September School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#9. Cherry Hills Village, Colorado

- Population: 6,405
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $2,191

- Top schools nearby: Cherry Creek High School (grade A+), Challenge School (grade A), DSST: Cedar High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Colorado Academy (grade A+), Kent Denver School (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#8. Highlands Ranch, Colorado

- Population: 101,514
- Median home value: $637,400
- Median rental price: $2,353

- Top schools nearby: Rock Canyon High School (grade A+), STEM School Highlands Ranch (grade A), Mountain Vista High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Colorado Academy (grade A+), Kent Denver School (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#7. Superior, Colorado

- Population: 13,146
- Median home value: $739,200
- Median rental price: $2,310

- Top schools nearby: Peak to Peak Charter School (grade A+), D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (grade A+), Summit Middle Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Dawson School (grade A+), Watershed School (grade A), September School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#6. Centennial, Colorado

- Population: 107,702
- Median home value: $586,500
- Median rental price: $1,949

- Top schools nearby: Cherry Creek High School (grade A+), Grandview High School (grade A+), Challenge School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Colorado Academy (grade A+), Kent Denver School (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#5. Louisville, Colorado

- Population: 20,920
- Median home value: $781,100
- Median rental price: $1,950

- Top schools nearby: Peak to Peak Charter School (grade A+), Fairview High School (grade A+), Summit Middle Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Dawson School (grade A+), Watershed School (grade A), September School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#4. Castle Pines, Colorado

- Population: 11,811
- Median home value: $775,200
- Median rental price: $1,904

- Top schools nearby: Rock Canyon High School (grade A+), STEM School Highlands Ranch (grade A), Challenge to Excellence Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Kent Denver School (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+), Crescent View Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: unavailable
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#3. Greenwood Village, Colorado

- Population: 15,537
- Median home value: $1,140,900
- Median rental price: $2,027

- Top schools nearby: Cherry Creek High School (grade A+), Challenge School (grade A), DSST: Cedar High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Colorado Academy (grade A+), Kent Denver School (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#2. Cherry Creek, Colorado

- Population: 11,157
- Median home value: $804,400
- Median rental price: $1,848

- Top schools nearby: Cherry Creek High School (grade A+), Challenge School (grade A), DSST: Cedar High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Kent Denver School (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+), Crescent View Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#1. Holly Hills, Colorado

- Population: 2,801
- Median home value: $611,400
- Median rental price: $2,545

- Top schools nearby: Cherry Creek High School (grade A+), Challenge School (grade A), DSST: Cedar High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Colorado Academy (grade A+), Kent Denver School (grade A+), St. Mary's Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.