The suburbs surrounding Denver are more than just places to live; they’re like chapters in a larger story of the city. Each one has its own personality, tempo, and unique way of drawing you in. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly apartment in Arvada, a home in Wheat Ridge, or a different kind of community spirit, the options laid out below are as varied as the landscape itself. Let’s take a closer look at ten of the most affordable Denver Suburbs in 2025.
Denver’s housing market at a glance
Denver’s housing costs can be steep, but several nearby suburbs offer more affordable alternatives. Here’s a quick look at Denver’s prices before diving into the best budget-friendly suburbs.
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$2,010 | |
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$2,625 | |
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$580,000 |
1. Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge sits just outside Denver’s orbit, like a close friend who knows when to give you space.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,300
- Distance from Denver: 6 miles northwest
- Drive time to Denver: About 15 minutes
Wheat Ridge is a place where modern convenience rubs elbows with echoes of the past. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Wheat Ridge is $1,300, making it a beacon for budget-minded renters in the Denver area. It’s the type of place where you’ll find new apartment complexes cozying up next to historic townhomes, giving renters plenty of options to find the perfect place. Clear Creek Trail winds through the area like a secret path, inviting runners, bikers, and the occasional wanderer to follow its course. Wheat Ridge Historical Park is a living time capsule, its 19th-century buildings whispering stories of settlers and simpler days. With friends living in Denver just a short drive away, it’s a great suburb for renters looking for a suburban feel with easy city access.
2. Greeley
Greeley feels like an outpost of Americana, a small town with just enough city to keep things interesting.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,382
- Distance from Denver: 60 miles north
- Drive time to Denver: About 1 hour
A 1-bedroom apartment in Greely will run you an average rent of $1,382. The Centennial Village Museum feels like stepping into a sepia-toned photograph, with costumed guides and historic buildings to explore. Island Grove Regional Park is a gathering place for festivals, quiet picnics, or a stroll under its expansive trees. While the hour-long commute to Denver might seem daunting, it’s a fair trade-off for the sense of calm that permeates this town.
3. Arvada
If Arvada were a person, it would be the one who insists on calling it “Olde Town” with a wink and a smile.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,473
- Distance from Denver: 9 miles northwest
- Drive time to Denver: About 20 minutes
Expect a 1-bedroom apartment in Arvada to rent for around $1,473, and what you get in return is a suburb brimming with charm. Olde Town Arvada is a cobblestone wonderland of boutiques, coffee shops, and craft breweries—a place where every corner feels like a postcard. Majestic View Nature Center has trails that are more meditative than strenuous, perfect for a leisurely escape. Arvada feels close enough to Denver for convenience but far enough to exhale, a balance that’s harder to achieve than it seems. It’s a suburb that wears its quirks proudly, and you’ll love it for that.
4. Aurora
Aurora stretches eastward like Denver’s younger, scrappier sibling, always pushing the boundaries.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,490
- Distance from Denver: 10 miles east
- Drive time to Denver: About 25 minutes
An average 1-bedroom apartment in Aurora is likely to run you about $1,490 a month. Cherry Creek State Park is a sprawling playground of hiking trails and water activities where you can lose yourself in nature without ever leaving town. The Aurora Reservoir, with its calm waters and sandy shores, is a hidden gem for residents in the know. Aurora is a mosaic of cultures, cuisines, and lifestyles, offering something different every day of the week. To put it simply, Aurora is a place where Denver is always nearby but never the main focus.
5. Lakewood
Lakewood feels like it’s perched on the edge of two worlds—the busy city to the east and the majesty of the mountains to the west.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,564
- Distance from Denver: 8 miles west
- Drive time to Denver: About 20 minutes
The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Lakewood sits at about $1,564, a price that reflects its dual identity, part urban retreat, part nature’s doorstep. Bear Creek Lake Park is a favorite among locals, offering hiking, biking, and a sense of wilderness just minutes from home. Colorado Mills Mall anchors the retail side of Lakewood, its stores and restaurants draws in weekend shoppers from all over. This affordable Denver suburb has an energy that feels grounded, a place where you can set down roots without giving up on adventure. It’s the kind of town where weekdays might mean city commutes, but weekends are all about the great outdoors.
6. Loveland
52 miles north of Denver, Loveland feels like a love letter to tranquility and creativity. Needless to say, this suburb lives up to its name.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,590
- Distance from Denver: 52 miles north
- Drive time to Denver: About 1 hour
The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Loveland is $1,590, and the Benson Sculpture Garden is its crown jewel. Walk among the sculptures, and it feels like being in an open-air museum. Boyd Lake State Park, meanwhile, offers everything from camping to kayaking. The town moves at its own pace, and that’s exactly the draw for those who make the commute to Denver for their nine-to-five. Whether you’re looking to settle down in a studio for the next year or you’re looking to lay down roots for the long haul in a newly renovated townhouse, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Loveland.
7. Northglenn
Northglenn, a mere 13 miles north, is a suburb that’s all about ease and comfort. And the views aren’t bad either.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,621
- Distance from Denver: 13 miles north
- Drive time to Denver: About 25 minutes
1-bedroom apartments in Northglenn have an average rent of $1,621, but its location and amenities make it worthwhile. E.B. Rains, JR. Memorial Park, with its scenic walking paths and playgrounds, is a hub for locals, while the Northglenn Recreation Center keeps the community active. With everyone from life-long locals living in charming bungalows to recent transplants loving the apartment life, Northglenn is a place that values simplicity without sacrificing a sense of place.
8. Monument
50 miles south of Denver, Monument feels like an escape that is tucked into the foothills like a secret.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,705
- Distance from Denver: 50 miles south
- Drive time to Denver: About 50 minutes
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Monument should cost about $1,705 a month. While it’s not the cheapest option, its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere are a worthy trade for the slightly higher price. Not to mention the fact that renters will find an abundance of options, from single family homes to newly erected apartment complexes and everything in between. Monument Lake and Fox Run Regional Park offer endless opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and reflecting on the twists and turns life takes.
9. Commerce City
Commerce City, just nine miles northeast of Denver, is a place where industry meets wilderness in unexpected harmony.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,721
- Distance from Denver: 9 miles northeast
- Drive time to Denver: About 20 minutes
Expect to shell out about $1,721 a month for a 1-bedroom apartment in Commerce City, it’s not the cheapest on the list, but it makes up for it with its unique vibe. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge offers more than 15,000 acres of protected land where you can spot bison, deer, and even the occasional bald eagle. It’s a surreal experience to watch wildlife roam against the backdrop of Denver’s skyline. Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, home to Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids, adds a splash of excitement for sports fans. Commerce City is a place of contrasts, where nature and urban life coexist in a way that feels both gritty and beautiful.
10. Longmont
37 miles north of Denver, Longmont feels like the perfect blend of small-town charm and modern sensibility.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,738
- Distance from Denver: 37 miles north
- Drive time to Denver: About 40 minutes
The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Longmont is $1,738. The Longmont Museum provides a deep dive into local history, culture, and art, while the St. Vrain Greenway offers a peaceful escape for bikers and walkers. There’s a sense of pride here, visible in the town’s well-maintained parks, thriving downtown, and stellar farmers’ markets. Longmont is also close enough to Boulder to benefit from its stellar Colorado college town vibe, but it maintains a character entirely its own.
Find the best Denver burb for you
Denver’s suburbs are a testament to the city’s growth and its many personalities. From Wheat Ridge’s historic charm to Longmont’s balanced appeal, each suburb offers a distinct way to experience Colorado. Whether you’re drawn to the wide-open spaces of Greeley or the artsy vibe of Loveland, there’s an affordable Denver suburb on this list that will feel like home. The hard part isn’t finding a great place—it’s deciding which one fits you best.
Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s one-bedroom rent was less than Denver’s average rent and under 65 miles from downtown Denver. Average rental data from Denver rental market trends in January, 2025. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
