Known as a haven for outdoor adventurers and a playground for beer drinkers, Colorado has a lot to offer for young professionals, couples and families. With activities like skiing, hiking, mountain biking and watersports, people love visiting and living in Colorado because of the many outdoor excursions to enjoy.

With major employers like the University of Colorado and Lockheed Martin and the amenities this state offers, many families and professionals are flocking to the Centennial State. Known for its beautiful landscapes, rocky mountains, ski resorts and brewery, bar and restaurant scene, people love this state’s casual and calm culture.

Colorado also has a diverse housing market, with major cities like Aurora and Denver and homes near beautiful landscapes and resorts. The average home price in this state is around $591,400, making it a competitive housing market and slightly affordable compared to other states.

Over 5 million residents call this state home, with it being slightly less diverse than other states (four percent of Black residents). Although diversity is a factor to consider, one of the reasons why families and residents love this state so much is because of the wide range of amenities and outdoor activities offered.

Here are some of the best places to live in Colorado.

Denver, Colorado

The capital of Colorado and the largest city in the state, Denver is one of the best places to live in Colorado for those wanting to be in a major city. Visit one of Denver’s many museums dedicated to science and art, hit the ski slopes or go ice skating in the winter, or explore the city parks, breweries and bike trails during the warmer seasons. Denver is a slightly more expensive area because it’s a large city with a ton of amenities. The average home price is around $583,000.

• Population: 713,252
• Public School Rating: A
• Average Home Price: $583,000
• Walkability: Moderate to High

For Black Families: For families looking to move to a large city with a lot of outdoor activities, Denver is the perfect family-friendly city. Around ten percent of Black residents call Denver home and enjoy the hiking, skiing, restaurant scene and water activities that the city has to offer.

For Young Professionals: Denver is the perfect place to live for young professionals who enjoy the great outdoors, breweries and restaurants. The cost of living is higher in Denver, with the average apartment rent at around $1900.

Aurora, Colorado

Colorado’s third largest city and an outdoor enthusiast’s haven, Aurora is one of the best places to live in Colorado. From the art murals around the city to mountain hiking to the dozens of dining and entertainment options, this smaller Colorado city has a lot to offer. It’s also slightly less expensive than Denver, with the average home price at around $472,000.

• Population: 393,537
• Public School Rating: A
• Average Home Price: $472,000
• Walkability: Moderate

For Black Families: For families who want to live in a large city, but not as large as Denver, Aurora offers the perfect middle ground between a large city with a small-town feel. For Black families wanting to move to a family-friendly Colorado city, Aurora is fairly diverse, with over 16 percent of Black residents.

For Young Professionals: Take advantage of all the outdoor amenities and opportunities Aurora offers. This city is slightly more affordable than Denver for young professionals, with an average rent of around $1,700 a month. There’s a high employment rate for those pursuing job opportunities in healthcare, government, energy, transportation and aerospace in Aurora.

Boulder, Colorado

Beside the beautiful rocky mountains lies Boulder, Colorado. With the great outdoors just steps away from your backyard, you can enjoy all of the outdoor activities that Boulder has to offer. Grab your shoes and go for a hike, walk over to the lake to enjoy some paddle boating or go skiing at one of the many resorts in the area. Because this area is a popular tourist and vacation attraction, the cost of living is higher than other Colorado cities. The average home price for those considering this area is between $900,000 and $1.4 million.

• Population: 105,485
• Public School Rating: A
• Average Home Price: $900,00+
• Walkability: Moderate

For Black Families: Aurora is another family-friendly city and one of the best places to live in Colorado for outdoor adventurers. Aside from outdoor activities, families can enjoy shopping, dining, art, scenic drives and more. If diversity is an important factor, you need to decide between Boulder and other Colorado cities. Because Boulder has a much smaller population than Denver and Aurora, there is less diversity, with around one percent of Black residents living in this area.

For Young Professionals: Home to the University of Colorado Boulder, which has over 30,000 students, this is a great area for young professionals. If you’re interested in working in hospitality and tourism, aerospace, outdoor recreation, information technology, natural and organic products and energy, then Boulder is the perfect city for you.

Colorado Springs

Located an hour outside of Denver is Colorado Springs, the second most populated city in the state. Offering stunning nature views and urban living, Colorado Springs is one of the best places to live in Colorado for a quieter life outside the major city. If you like thrilling adventures by the lake or mountains, this is the perfect place for you. Homeownership is also more attainable in this area as the average home price is around $441,529.

• Population: 486,248
• Public School Rating: B
• Average Home Price: $441,529
• Walkability: Moderate

For Black Families: As the second largest city in Colorado, there are plenty of amenities for families to take advantage of. Get dinner at a local restaurant or go horseback riding at the park. For the active family, this is a great place to raise kids. Around six percent of Black residents live in Colorado Springs, so it is slightly more diverse than other areas of the state.

For Young Professionals: If you’re a recent graduate or young adult looking for a large city with a lower cost of living, Colorado Springs may just be the perfect place to settle down. Along with outdoor amenities, there are plenty of restaurants, entertainment and bar options for young professionals to enjoy. The average rent is around $1,500, which is fairly low in the United States economy with inflation and the increase of rent of housing prices.