Best Cities for Families in Colorado

Colorado lands in the middle of the pack for families at #23 out of 50 states. The state has genuine strengths — education scores strong at 74/100 — but also areas that may give parents pause. The 82% high school graduation rate leaves room for improvement, and the median home price of $582,000 may stretch family budgets.

Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Colorado delivers on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 82%, trailing the national average. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 74/100. At $15,325 per year for infant care, childcare is a significant budget item that families need to plan for.

Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Colorado faces elevated crime rates that families should factor into neighborhood selection at 413 incidents per 100,000 residents. With a cost-of-living index of 101, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.