Colorado
Colorado ranks #17 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 68.3/100 and a B+ grade. Its strongest category is Education (74/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (45/100).
How Does Colorado Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in Colorado
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Castle Rock | A+ | 69.8 | 81,401 | $137,383 | 22.7 | — |
| 44 | Parker | A+ | 66.1 | 60,115 | $129,342 | 208.2 | 88.2 |
| 75 | Centennial | A+ | 64.8 | 106,873 | $121,531 | 268.3 | 105.5 |
| 82 | Highlands Ranch | A+ | 64.2 | 103,195 | $153,336 | — | — |
| 83 | Broomfield | A+ | 64.2 | 76,860 | $112,139 | 167.4 | 105.5 |
| 202 | Arvada | B+ | 60.1 | 123,517 | $114,384 | 216.3 | 105.5 |
| 347 | Loveland | B+ | 56.6 | 79,353 | $77,160 | 390.3 | — |
| 356 | Thornton | B | 56.3 | 144,889 | $101,679 | 287.1 | 105.5 |
| 366 | Longmont | B | 56.1 | 99,306 | $82,984 | 504.9 | — |
| 379 | Fort Collins | B | 55.9 | 170,368 | $81,883 | 299.6 | 96.6 |
| 399 | Boulder | B | 55.3 | 105,893 | $75,923 | 358.8 | 99.9 |
| 408 | Commerce City | B | 55.1 | 68,248 | $124,884 | 779.6 | — |
| 436 | Westminster | B | 54.5 | 114,882 | $92,101 | 343.1 | 105.5 |
| 547 | Grand Junction | C+ | 52.1 | 69,406 | $67,887 | 505.5 | 92.1 |
| 565 | Denver | C+ | 51.8 | 716,577 | $94,157 | 1027.4 | 105.5 |
| 630 | Lakewood | C+ | 50.1 | 155,973 | $83,987 | 732.4 | 105.5 |
| 651 | Greeley | C | 49.6 | 112,614 | $63,526 | 748.3 | 96 |
| 670 | Colorado Springs | C | 48.9 | 488,670 | $83,215 | 696.8 | 97.4 |
| 692 | Aurora | C | 48.5 | 394,701 | $89,300 | 959.3 | 105.5 |
| 937 | Pueblo | D | 39.8 | 111,081 | $57,170 | 1477.9 | 92.4 |
Best Cities in Colorado for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Castle Rock | 68.8 | 73.5 | 94.8 | 46.8 |
| 2 | Centennial | 64.4 | 73.5 | 75.0 | 50.6 |
| 3 | Broomfield | 62.6 | 54.6 | 79.4 | 50.3 |
| 4 | Parker | 60.4 | 29.9 | 80.4 | 55.2 |
| 5 | Highlands Ranch | 59.6 | 73.5 | 51.6 | 41.6 |
More West States
Colorado Rankings Overview
Colorado earns an overall grade of B+ with a composite score of 68.3 out of 100, ranking #17 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Education (74/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (45/100).
Economy & Employment in Colorado
With an unemployment rate of 3.8% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), Colorado performs below average on economic indicators. The median household income is $91,340, which ranks above the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in Colorado
Colorado's violent crime rate of 413 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in Colorado
Colorado ranks #17 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #14 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in Colorado is 79.3 years, and the high school graduation rate is 82%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in Colorado
Colorado's total tax burden is 8.73% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 4.4%. The effective property tax rate is 0.49% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 7.89%.
Housing & Affordability in Colorado
The median home price in Colorado is $582,000, compared to the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 101 (where 100 equals the national average), roughly in line with national costs. The price-to-income ratio is 6.4x.
Environment in Colorado
Colorado has a median air quality index of 42 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 39% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources, an above-average share. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 17.9 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in Colorado
Colorado's population growth rate is +1.1% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +0.9 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 94.4% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in Colorado
The top-ranked cities in Colorado based on our composite scoring are Castle Rock, Parker, and Centennial. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Colorado's overall ranking?
Colorado ranks #17 out of 50 states with a composite score of 68.3/100 and a grade of B+.
Is Colorado a good place to live?
Colorado ranks among the top-performing states in America with a composite score of 68.3/100. Its strengths in areas like economic opportunity and public safety make it an attractive place to live for many residents.
What is the crime rate in Colorado?
The violent crime rate in Colorado is 413 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does Colorado's economy compare?
Colorado's median household income is $91,340 with an unemployment rate of 3.8%. The unemployment rate is above the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is above the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in Colorado?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in Colorado are Castle Rock, Parker, and Centennial.
How does Colorado rank for families?
Colorado ranks #20 of 50 states for families with a score of 68.4/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does Colorado rank for retirees?
Colorado ranks #21 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 65.4/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does Colorado rank for remote workers?
Colorado ranks #15 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 60.5/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.