Situated east of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is nicknamed The Mile High City for its elevation being one mile above sea level. Known as a stunning place to live near the mountains and its thriving job market, Denver is a great city to move to—however, there are some downsides to consider before relocation. Here are the 14 pros and cons of living in Denver!
Pros of Living in Denver
With a booming job market, access to higher education opportunities, and a variety of nightlife options, there are plenty of reasons to call Denver home. Here are the pros living in Denver!
Pro: Denver’s Job Market Is Growing
Denver is a great place to pursue a job and remains a significant economic hub, particularly in key industries like technology, aerospace, bioscience, and healthcare. With a lower-than-average unemployment rate, there’s a wide range of jobs in Denver at many large companies. Pursue work in AI software development to aid in decision-making at Palantir Technologies. Provide excellent medical care as a physician or nurse at UCHealth, a major Denver healthcare provider. Work as a caregiver or doctor at CommonSpirit, which prides itself on building healthy communities. Experience a supportive and family-friendly culture while you start a career in management consulting at Bain & Company, one of the best places to work in Denver. Or, just five miles outside of Denver, get started contributing to cutting-edge aerospace and defense technology solutions at Lockheed Martin Space, or working at Fortune 500 company Arrow Electronics—a global provider of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions.
Pro: High-Quality Education Options
Many renowned Denver colleges attract students from across the nation who are looking to pursue a college degree. Find graduate programs in business analytics, law, or international studies at the University of Denver. Study for a job in environmental science, English, or urban design at the University of Colorado Denver, a major public research university. Prepare for a career in aerospace systems, economics, or hospitality leadership at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Find both on-campus and online programs in music, criminology, or communication at Regis University, a private Jesuit university in Denver. Try out the community college path with programs for arts, manufacturing, and health sciences at the Community College of Denver. Or attend the Colorado School of Mines, located just west of Denver, for a premier education in engineering and applied sciences.
Pro: Access to Many Outdoor Activities
As one of the best cities for outdoor recreation, Denver offers easy access to many outdoor activities—including hiking, skiing, and mountain-biking in the nearby Rocky Mountains. View over 45 gardens—like the Sacred Earth and Steppe Gardens—with a wide variety of plants at the scenic Denver Botanic Gardens. Embark on a walk, bike ride, or jog at the 155-acre Washington Park. Spend an afternoon horseback riding or mountain biking on the Red Rocks Trail in Red Rocks Park. Go tubing or white water rafting along the waterfront at Confluence Park. Practice your kickflip at the 60,000 square foot Denver Skatepark. Enjoy a thrilling whitewater rafting experience just 30 minutes away from Denver along Clear Creek. Or take a one-and-a-half-hour drive to Rocky Mountain National Park, which is perfect for hiking or taking in breathtaking views of the bison and mountain scenery.
Pro: Rich Arts & Culture Scene
The Denver arts scene is vibrant, featuring a wide range of museums, theatres, music venues, and art districts that reflect its rich history and culture. View European and American art, go on a guided gallery tour, or take part in unique adult programming like Untitled: Artist Takeover at the Denver Art Museum. Take an acting class or see Broadway shows like Some Like it Hot at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Attend an outdoor concert for acts like Alabama Shakes and Incubus, or watch classic films under the stars at the world-class Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre. Check out vibrant Denver street art, murals, galleries, artist studios, and more at the River North Art District. Attend a comedy show or grab tickets to a live music performance at the historic Paramount Theatre. Or head over to enjoy dazzling performances like Dracula and The Nutcracker from the Colorado Ballet at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
Pro: Abundance of Family Activities
There is a large variety of family-friendly things to do in Denver! Get tickets to a laser show or enroll your kids in a science camp at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Take your kids to the Teddy Bear Clinic, or check out exotic animals like the red river hog, western lowland gorillas, and more at the Denver Zoo. Spark an energy for learning with fun exhibits like Kinetics!, Fire Station No. 1, and Joy Park at the Children’s Museum of Denver. Dive deep into some state history with immersive experiences like What’s Your Story, Destination Colorado, and the hands-on Makerspace at the History Colorado Center. Experience thrill rides like the Boomerang, family attractions like the Big Wheel and Carousel, or slide down Cannonball Falls at Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park. Or drive 20 minutes north of Denver to cool off from the heat with aquatic attractions like the Beaver Tail, Eagle River, Cowabunga Beach, and more at Water World.
Pro: Fun Denver Festivals
Denver is home to a wide variety of festivals that celebrate the city’s culture, arts, and food scenes, giving residents a chance to unwind and connect with the local community! Immerse yourself in the Denver art scene with live music, art education, access to more than 260 juried artists, and more at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Support local food vendors while watching an experienced chalk artist create unique street art at the free Denver Chalk Art Festival. Celebrate the art of cinema and watch creative films from around the world like I’m Still Here, The Last Showgirl, and more at the Denver Film Festival. Learn about Native American culture with traditional tribal dances, storytelling from Native authors, and performances from the HeartBeat drum group at the Denver March Pow Wow. Explore Japanese culture with live taiko drumming, fresh food, and a lively marketplace at the Denver Cherry Blossom Festival. Or run a 5k, attend the Pride parade, and support critical services for the local LGBTQ community at Denver Pride.
Pro: Professional Sports Teams
Sports fans can rejoice—there are several professional sports teams in Denver that will keep you waving your foam finger year-round! Watch the Denver Broncos (NFL) march toward the end zone at Empower Field at Mile High. Stop by Ball Arena year-round to cheer on the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), support the Denver Nuggets (NBA), or spectate live lacrosse from the Colorado Mammoth (NLL). Grab a snack and root for the Colorado Rockies (MLB) to hit a grand slam at Coors Field. Get rowdy for penalty kicks scored by the Colorado Rapids (MLS) at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park. Or support a local college hockey team like the Denver Pioneers (NCHC)—who have won the most NCAA National Hockey Championships of all time—at Magness Arena.
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Pro: Diverse Range of Denver Restaurants
Denver’s restaurant scene offers a wide range of food options, ranging from farm-to-table eateries and upscale fine-dining to diverse international cuisines and casual brewpubs. Enjoy Italian favorites like Rigatoni, Cavatelli, or Pasta Al Forno at the acclaimed Tavernetta. Savor a NY Strip Al Arriero, Chuleta De Puerco, or Lenguado A La Veracruzana at Michelin-starred Alma Fonda Fina. Build your own burger, or order the Vera Cruz or The Cricket Royale at The Cherry Cricket. Sample farm-to-table dishes like the Mushroom Sourdough Pizza, Chicken Liver Mousse, or Seasonal Risotto at the Cart-Driver. Make a reservation to experience a three-course dinner that consists of Chilean Sea Bass, Seared Diver Scallops, or the New Zealand King Ora Salmon at Mizuna. Try Denver Japanese food like Miso Soup, Shrimp Tempura, or Eggplant Aburi Nigiri Sushi at Temaki Den. Or grab German pub fare like a Schnitzwich, Currywurst, or a Bavarian Pretzel at Bierstadt Lagerhaus.
Pro: Fantastic Denver Breweries
Ranked as one of the best beer cities in the U.S., the Denver nightlife scene places a heavy emphasis on breweries and brewpubs. Choose from a selection of craft beers like Brewers Flight or Mighty Quinn Stout at Denver’s original brewpub Wynkoop Brewing Company. Sample seasonal beers like a Love and Lemons Lemonade Ale, Hoss Oktoberfest Lager, or a Strawberry Rhubarb Sour Ale at the Great Divide Brewing Co. Enjoy a diverse selection of house-brewed beers like the Big Ben Brown Ale or Allgood Amber Ale at Bull & Bush Pub & Brewery. Grab brews like the Colorado Public Red, Du Hefe, or Snowballed while listening to live music at the Black Shirt Brewing Co. Sip a wide range of craft beers like the Cityscapes Mexican-Style Lager or Domestica American Golden Ale while listening to punk music at Ratio Beerworks. Or enjoy traditional English-style ales and classic pub food like Crisps, Bird in the Hand, and the Banger Burger at Pints Pub.
Cons of Living in Denver
While living in Denver offers many benefits, there are some drawbacks to think about before relocating. Check out these potential cons of moving to Denver.
Con: High Cost of Living
Denver’s cost of living is 33% higher than the national average, so residents may have to adjust their savings and financial goals based on their location. Denver housing stands out as a major contributor to the elevated costs, with the median home purchase price being $427,600 and the median monthly rent being $1,397—both of which are higher than the national average. However, Denver residents have a median household income over $15,000 higher than the national average to help afford the inflated cost of living. You’ll also pay less than the national average for expenses like utilities and healthcare. While housing is expensive, there are several affordable neighborhoods in Denver—like Golden Triangle, LoDo, and Park Hill—that offer more budget-friendly places to live. The cost of housing in Denver can also be seen as an investment, as the city is one of the most profitable for Airbnb properties!
Con: High Altitude Adjustments
Denver’s high altitude—almost 5,000 feet above sea level—means that many visitors and even residents may experience altitude sickness, with symptoms like headaches and fatigue. The high altitude can impact physical activity, and it may take a few days to let your body adjust—during this time it’s recommended that you drink water and limit alcohol consumption, which can exacerbate altitude sickness symptoms. Even though many people only experience mild effects like shortness of breath or fatigue, listen to your body and take breaks when getting used to the Mile High City.
Con: Traffic Congestion & Limited Public Transportation
Denver’s population is growing rapidly, leading to problematic traffic congestion during peak hours of the day. Major highways like I-25 and I-70 are known for bottlenecks and delays, especially during common commute times. While Denver public transportation options like the Regional Transportation District (RTD) offer a network of buses and light rail lines, their coverage and frequency can be limited, particularly when connecting to non-central locations—often making personal vehicles a necessity for many residents. However, Denver does have congestion management programs in place to help businesses and people adapt to and avoid heavy traffic. Additionally, the Colorado Department of Transportation is striving to develop more Rapid Bus Transit routes in the city to help reduce service delays for residents.
Con: High Crime in the Metro
Like most large cities, there are pockets of Denver that tend to have a higher crime rate. Denver’s crime rates make the city only 2% safer than other Colorado cities. However, there have been recent signs that violent crimes are decreasing in Denver. Additionally, Denver is not even in the top 25 dangerous cities in America based on violent and property crime rates per 100,000 people. To help provide peace of mind and as an effort, the city also provides several safety and crime prevention resources, including guides to help start neighborhood watch programs. The Denver Police also launched a trust patrol program to help improve community relations and prevent crime. While there are areas of the city with higher crime rates, there are plenty of safe places to live in Denver, including Gateway-Green Valley Ranch, University, and more.
Con: Extreme Weather Events
Denver’s climate is prone to a variety of extreme weather events that can catch residents off guard. Spring and summer often bring severe weather events like thunderstorms, which can rapidly escalate to include damaging winds and torrential downpours. Denver is also located in “Hail Alley”—one of the most hail-prone regions in North America—with destructive hailstorms frequently occurring from April to September. Winters in Denver, while generally mild with plenty of sunshine, can still deliver powerful blizzards that dump significant amounts of snow and create hazardous driving conditions, sometimes lingering for days. Denver’s weather is also susceptible to droughts and wildfires, especially during hot, dry periods, which can lead to air quality issues and regional concerns. Because the city is aware of these weather risks, it encourages everyone to create an emergency plan and provides resources like its guide to wildfire preparedness and how to prepare for Denver winters.
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