DENVER (KDVR) — Coloradans know the Centennial State is a great place to live, but it may come as a surprise to you that USA Today said it’s not the most popular city in the state to move to.
Researchers from USA Today Homefront ranked the state’s 22 cities on 16 different data-driven indicators that measure the quality of life in each area.
While most of the best and worst cities are located along the Front Range, the top ranking for best city to move to in Colorado is Grand Junction, located on the Western Slope, according to the study.
Best cities to move to in Colorado
According to the survey, Grand Junction, Littleton and Loveland were ranked as the top three Colorado cities people want to move to, citing safety, education and access to healthcare.
Here’s a rundown of the top five cities on USA Today’s list:
1st Place: Grand Junction
USA Today has described Grand Junction as “Colorado’s best-kept secret,” noting its diverse landscape, affordable housing and low climate risk.
Low climate risk also impacts home affordability: Grand Junction has the lowest annual home insurance premiums, the study found, likely thanks to the region’s mild climate.
Grand Junction was ranked as the second most affordable place for potential homebuyers and the third most affordable place for renters.
2nd place: Littleton
Littleton is the smallest of the top five cities by population and the second smallest overall with just 45,500 people. USA Today reported that despite its small population, Littleton still has plenty to do and enjoy.
Littleton is about a 25-minute drive south of Downtown Denver and about a 20-30-minute drive from Red Rocks Amphitheatre, making it conveniently located for city activities and outdoor adventures. But there’s plenty to do in Littleton itself, and according to a USA Today analysis, Littleton has the most restaurants and activities per capita.
According to USA Today, Littleton has one of the highest-rated school districts in the Centennial State, tying it with Highlands Ranch and Boulder for the top spot in the survey. USA Today also noted that Littleton has good access to health care, with about 10 primary care physicians per 1,000 residents.
So what are the downsides to living in Littleton? According to USA Today, Littleton is one of the most expensive cities to live in the state, which is why the city just missed out on the top spot. The average rent in the city is $1,994, and the average home price is $641,076.
3rd Place: Loveland
Loveland is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, just a few miles south of Fort Collins. USA Today said the city offers all the convenience of a big city and small-town charm.
According to USA Today, Loveland has the fifth-lowest crime rate among cities studied, with fewer than 30 crimes per 1,000 residents, below the state average of 36 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Loveland had the lowest unemployment rate and ranked third for access to primary care providers.
Loveland’s rent prices were the fourth-cheapest among the 22 cities surveyed, with the average rent being about $1,751.
No.4: Fort Collins
Fort Collins is described by USA Today as a “historic haven” thanks to its vintage trolleys, ghost tours and historic buildings dating back to the 1800s.
According to the study, Fort Collins is one of the most highly educated cities in the state, with 58% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree, well above the statewide average of 36%.
The city also had one of the more affordable costs of living out of the 22 cities surveyed, with an average rent of $1,853 and an average home price of $554,647.
5th place: Longmont
USA Today noted that Longmont’s population is just under 100,000, but is expected to surpass that number soon.
Located just 20 minutes from downtown Boulder and 45 minutes from Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park, the home is a convenient option for people who work in the city but still want affordable housing, USA Today noted.
According to the study, Longmont’s life expectancy is 82.6 years, higher than the statewide average of 80 years.
Longmont is located in Boulder County, which, along with Larimer and Douglas counties, has the lowest unemployment rate in the state, at 3.4%.
List: Best and Worst Cities to Move to in Colorado
The lowest-ranked cities are both in Adams County, with USA Today reporting that Brighton and Commerce City both ranked at the bottom due to their high cost of living and poorly rated schools.
Popular cities like Denver and Aurora ranked lower due to their high crime rates and expensive home insurance costs, USA Today reported.
The full list of the 22 cities analyzed is as follows:
| Rank | city | Average life | Average Income | Typical rent | Typical Home Prices | Unemployment rate |
| 1 | Grand Junction | 78.3 | $62,993 | $1,467 | $383,283 | 4.5% |
| 2 | Littleton | 80.6 | $90,273 | $1,994 | $641,076 | 3.7% |
| 3 | Loveland | 81.7 | $81,898 | $1,751 | $495,821 | 3.4% |
| Four | Fort Collins | 81.7 | $78,977 | $1,853 | $554,647 | 3.4% |
| Five | Longmont | 82.6 | $89,720 | $1,868 | $563,227 | 3.4% |
| 6 | Greeley | 80.3 | $65,525 | $1,428 | $413,326 | 4.0% |
| 7 | Bloomfield | 81.8 | $117,541 | $2,090 | $645,535 | 3.6% |
| 8 | Boulder | 82.6 | $80,243 | $2,442 | $984,011 | 3.4% |
| 9 | Colorado Springs | 78.1 | $79,026 | $1,806 | $449,123 | 3.9% |
| Ten | hoodie | 83.4 | $126,615 | $2,199 | $693,812 | 3.4% |
| 11 | Centennial | 80.6 | $124,617 | $2,206 | $648,128 | 3.7% |
| 12 | Arvada | 80.3 | $106,014 | $2,135 | $611,384 | 3.6% |
| 13 | Castle Rock | 83.4 | $135,985 | $2,380 | $667,836 | 3.4% |
| 14 | Lakewood | 80.3 | $82,786 | $1,893 | $571,584 | 3.6% |
| 15 | Highlands Ranch | 83.4 | $148,227 | $2,505 | $715,975 | 3.4% |
| 16 | Westminster | 80.3 | $90,651 | $1,928 | $533,794 | 3.6% |
| 17 | Aurora | 80.6 | $78,685 | $1,935 | $483,228 | 3.7% |
| 18 | Pueblo | 75.1 | $52,794 | $1,341 | $283,725 | 5.3% |
| 19 | Denver | 78.9 | $85,853 | $1,984 | $563,372 | 4.2% |
| 20 | Thornton | 78.6 | $95,064 | $1,946 | $524,041 | 4.2% |
| twenty one | Brighton | 78.6 | $86,975 | $2,143 | $506,195 | 4.2% |
| twenty two | Commerce City | 78.6 | $96,484 | $2,485 | $506,397 | 4.2% |
About 264,500 people moved to Colorado in 2022, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
