{"id":29314,"date":"2026-08-18T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/?p=29314"},"modified":"2026-08-10T15:52:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T19:52:21","slug":"living-in-denver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/city-guides\/living-in-denver\/","title":{"rendered":"Living in Denver: 8 Things to Know First About the Mile High City"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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8 Things to Know About Living in Denver<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros and Cons of Living in Denver<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for Moving to Denver<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With its comfortable year-round climate, dynamic entertainment scene, unbeatable access to outdoor recreation, and robust economic landscape, there\u2019s so much to enjoy about living in Denver. No wonder the population is increasing by about 0.8% each year<\/a>. But does a new chapter in the Mile High City make sense for you? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help answer this question, it\u2019s best to get an idea of what it\u2019s like to live there before packing those boxes and moving to Denver. From the housing market and cost of living, to the schools, career opportunities, and all the spectacular nature activities, here\u2019s what to know about living in Denver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 Things to Know About Living in Denver<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Perched just 20 miles from the Rocky Mountain foothills at exactly one mile high in elevation (hence its nickname), Denver is famous for nearly 20,000 acres<\/a> of nature parks and trails. These lush green spaces make this city an outdoor lover\u2019s oasis, but the thin air and high altitude can take some time to acclimate to. Here are some other considerations to keep in mind about living in Denver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The Denver Cost of Living Is Pricier than the National Average<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The U.S cost of living index uses a baseline of 100, and the Denver cost of living<\/a> currently sits 10% above this national average. That means you\u2019ll spend 10% more on basic expenses (like food, housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes) here than in most other states. To put this in context, if you\u2019re moving to Denver from Phoenix, you\u2019ll need to earn about $104,563 per year<\/a> to maintain a quality of life that was affordable on $100,000 in Arizona. On the other hand, if you\u2019re moving from San Francisco on a $100,000 income, you could maintain the same quality of life on just $67,237 per year in Denver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bare minimum annual salary to cover living expenses for an individual is around $57,013 ($27.41 per hour). Meanwhile, a family of four needs to bring in at least two annual salaries of $74,361 ($35.75 per hour) to cover typical expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Denver Is a Top Destination for Perennial Outdoor Recreation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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One of the main perks of moving to Denver is easy access to world-class nature views and outdoor recreation, regardless of season. Denver is a hotspot for hiking, camping, mountain biking, fishing, boating, rock climbing, skiing, and so much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Locals can explore over 90 miles<\/a> of multi-use trails, 480 miles<\/a> of bike paths, and 14,000 acres<\/a> of urban green spaces. Not to mention, Denver is also less than two hours away from iconic destinations such as Rocky Mountain National Park<\/a> and Garden of the Gods<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. The Climate in Denver Boasts Four Distinct Seasons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Denver features a semi-arid climate<\/a> with low humidity levels and comfortable weather most of the year. Due to its high elevation and mountainous location on the western edge of the Great Plains, living in Denver allows you to experience all four seasons. Temperatures in the winter can drop below 20 degrees with as much as 60 inches of snowfall. The summer months approach nearly 90 degrees, while the spring and fall temperatures are more moderate. Residents also enjoy about 245 days of sunshine with 17 inches of annual rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. The Denver Housing Market Is Expensive but Stabilizing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After years of inflated home values, the Denver housing market has recently swung more in favor of potential buyers. In fact, real estate prices here in the Mile High City are declining faster than in any other large metro area<\/a> across the U.S. The average home in Denver currently sells for about $539,712<\/a>, and while that\u2019s still more expensive than the national average of $370,320, it\u2019s a sharp 4.2% decrease from home values in 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you prefer apartment living, the average one-bedroom apartment here costs $1,708<\/a> per month, while a two-bedroom apartment will set you back $2,195<\/a> per month. That\u2019s pricier than nearby cities like Phoenix<\/a> and Las Vegas<\/a>, but it\u2019s much more affordable than places on the West Coast like Seattle<\/a> and San Francisco<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. The Denver Job Market Is Full of Career Opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Moving to Denver can offer you an exciting career boost in a variety of booming industries. The Denver job market boasts an unemployment rate of 3.7%<\/a> (compared to the national average of 4.3%<\/a>). Plus, the annual base salary here starts at $86,000, which is higher than you would earn in places such as Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Boise, and Las Vegas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Denver job market can be especially lucrative if you work in fields like aerospace, natural energy, telecommunications, information technology, healthcare, finance, hospitality, tourism, software, and brewery production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. The Denver Public School District Ranks Above Average<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re relocating here with children, it\u2019s worth noting that Denver public schools consistently perform above average<\/a>, based on annual Colorado state ratings. The district is known for its Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST) program, which focuses on an interactive STEM curriculum for middle and high school students. On that note, here\u2019s a quick rundown of the top-ranked public schools in Denver across all grade levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Elementary Schools in Denver<\/h4>\n\n\n\n