Best Cities for Young Professionals in Colorado
Colorado ranks #20 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 56.7. Highlands Ranch is its best city for young professionals at 70.9.
- Colorado, all states
- #20 of 50
- Population
- 102,257
Colorado for Young Professionals: The Full Picture
Colorado ranks #20 out of 50 for young professionals, placing it in the upper tier for career-oriented relocators. The state's economy scores 60/100, with 4% unemployment and a median household income of $97,113. Modest population growth of 0.4% suggests a stable but not booming market.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. With a cost-of-living index of 103.1, expenses are near the national norm — what you earn is roughly what you keep. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. Colorado's livability score of 34/100 is modest, which may matter to young professionals who value nightlife, dining, and cultural events. Transportation infrastructure scores well (61/100), with options beyond car dependency.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Highlands Ranch | A+ | 70.9 | 68.0 | 100 | — | 53 | 102,257 |
| 2Castle Rock | A | 64.5 | 66.8 | 86 | 53 | 36 | 79,123 |
| 3Parker | A | 63.9 | 63.3 | 81 | 55 | 42 | 61,783 |
| 4Broomfield | A+ | 63.0 | 68.1 | 75 | 52 | 47 | 76,304 |
| 5Centennial | A | 61.7 | 65.5 | 79 | 31 | 60 | 108,201 |
| 6Arvada | B+ | 61.1 | 62.1 | 72 | 47 | 60 | 122,634 |
| 7Fort Collins | B+ | 59.2 | 59.7 | 58 | 47 | 61 | 170,229 |
| 8Longmont | B+ | 58.5 | 60.8 | 59 | 46 | 64 | 99,406 |
| 9Commerce City | C+ | 57.4 | 54.8 | 67 | 58 | 63 | 66,445 |
| 10Westminster | B | 57.1 | 58.5 | 64 | 41 | 60 | 115,484 |
| 11Boulder | B+ | 56.4 | 59.0 | 58 | 33 | 72 | 106,433 |
| 12Loveland | B+ | 56.3 | 60.1 | 56 | 46 | 45 | 78,410 |
| 13Grand Junction | C+ | 55.8 | 54.5 | 50 | 59 | 40 | 68,142 |
| 14Denver | C+ | 55.6 | 54.6 | 61 | 40 | 71 | 718,877 |
| 15Thornton | B | 55.1 | 58.5 | 64 | 37 | 58 | 144,187 |
| 16Colorado Springs | C | 54.5 | 51.2 | 57 | 46 | 56 | 487,887 |
| 17Aurora | C | 53.3 | 51.5 | 58 | 45 | 61 | 394,432 |
| 18Lakewood | C+ | 53.2 | 53.7 | 59 | 38 | 59 | 156,583 |
| 19Greeley | D | 46.7 | 46.4 | 45 | 41 | 41 | 110,806 |
| 20Pueblo | F | 40.3 | 42.6 | 34 | 27 | 36 | 111,561 |
City young professionals scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.
Compare: States with Similar Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: Colorado for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado a good state for young professionals?
Colorado ranks #20 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 56.7/100. Its strongest relevant category is Health (75/100) and its weakest is Growth (31/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in Colorado?
Highlands Ranch ranks #1 in Colorado for young professionals with a score of 70.9/100, followed by Castle Rock and Parker.
What factors are most important for young professionals in Colorado?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.