Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods in Denver

Thinking about moving to Denver? The Mile High City is one of the best big cities to live in the U.S. because of its attractive job opportunities and outdoor recreation. If you’re looking to find budget-friendly options for living in Denver, check out these five safe, affordable neighborhoods in Denver!

• Baker
• Congress Park
• Gateway-Green Valley Ranch
• LoDo
• University

Baker

Photo via @katekazell

Home Price: $355,880 median purchase price; $896 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 50% of Denver neighborhoods
Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families

With an average monthly rent that’s 13% lower than the rest of the city, Baker is one of the best places to rent a home in Denver! This affordable Denver neighborhood’s youthful vibes are found in colorful bungalows, well-decorated Victorian houses, and Craftsman homes with bright siding and trim throughout the area. Residents of this Denver area love that it’s a Denver neighborhood with a nice community unique to Baker, even though it’s bordered by the eclectic South Broadway neighborhood—plus, Baker is generally less active and quieter. Along with the fun in South Broadway, this hip neighborhood in Denver offers commuters close proximity to I-25 and access to great schools like Echinacea Montessori and St. Francis De Sales!

Things to Do in Baker

Catch an indie film, documentary, or cult classic at the Art Deco landmark Mayan Theatre. Traverse over 120 bouldering problems and 81 independent anchors on the 50-foot walls at Movement. Check out contemporary art exhibits from national and Denver artists alike at SPACE Gallery. Channel your inner warrior as you grab a drink and test your axe-throwing skills at Axe Whooping. Order Biscuits + Gravy, Biscuit French Toast, or The Dahlia biscuit sandwich at Denver Biscuit Company. Try the Unagi Don, Chirashi, or the Miso Glazed Sea Bass while you relax on the patio at Go Fish Sushi. Enjoy the lively atmosphere and dishes like Carolina Pulled Pork, St. Louis Style Ribs, or Catfish Po’Boy at Smokin’ Yard’s BBQ. Or sip on a Lavender Gin Lemonade cocktail while snacking on a Vegan Bahn Mi, Cubano Bowl, or Sweet Potato Fries at vegan-friendly restaurant Sputnik.

Congress Park

Photo via @grantrstevens

Home Price: $416,967 median purchase price; $1,207 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 41% of Denver neighborhoods
Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Congress Park mixes urban and suburban living in Denver, featuring plenty of parks like Congress Park and Cheesman Park, and recreation like kids playgrounds and trails perfect for biking or walking your pets. Residents of this Denver neighborhood value Congress Park’s inclusivity and LGBTQ-friendly spaces, along with being near state-of-the-art healthcare at Rose Medical Center. Homebuyers in this family-friendly neighborhood can find everything from brick bungalows to Mediterranean Revival houses, while renters have their pick of newly-constructed townhomes, condos, and spacious apartments. And those raising a family in Congress Park are able to choose from an abundance of Denver schools, like Montessori Children’s House of Denver, Teller Elementary, Palmer Elementary, and Reach Charter School.

Things to Do in Congress Park

Stroll through the Denver Botanic Gardens for native Colorado plant species, Japanese-inspired gardens, unique fountains, and more. Explore what used to be allegedly haunted Cheesman Park, originally Denver’s first cemetery, with a spooky Cheesman Park Ghost Tour. Purchase a new book at Denver’s longest-running independent bookstore, Tattered Cover. See local folk bands or nationally-touring EDM artists at Bluebird Theater. Visit food trucks serving everything from Cajun and soul food to tortas and burgers, and sample craft beers like Acoustic Niche, Ominous Terrain, and Ambiguous Vibes at Cerebral Brewing. Order a Margarita de la Casa and settle in for delicious Enchiladas, Chile Relleno, or Mezcal Burritos at Mezcal. Reserve a table at Italian bistro Shells and Sauce for Homemade Lasagna, Traditional Parmigiana, and Wild Mushroom Marsala. Or get unlimited barbecue with Sogogi Bulgogi or try entrees like Kimchee Cheegae and Soon Dooboo Cheegae at Dae Gee Korean BBQ.

Gateway-Green Valley Ranch

Photo via @agentashtree

Home Price: $222,990 median purchase price; $1,350 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 86% of Denver neighborhoods
Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

This northwestern Denver neighborhood is conveniently located near the Denver International Airport, I-70, and the RTD station, making this a commuter-friendly neighborhood. Being on the outskirts of the Denver metro, Gateway-Green Valley Ranch not only offers residents quicker access to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, but also plenty of space for families to spread out. Full of expansive yards perfect for kiddos to play, safe Gateway-Green Valley Ranch provides residents with larger American Foursquares and Craftsman bungalows. Or dog owners living in one of the best cities for dogs can take advantage of the yard space, as well as accessible dog parks like Green Valley Ranch East Dog Park and Parkfield Lake Park.

Things to Do in Gateway-Green Valley Ranch

Catch a Colorado Rapids (MLS) soccer match or play football, lacrosse, or rugby at Dicks Sporting Goods Park. Play pickleball or take a Zumba class at Montbello Recreation Center. Sign up for a lesson at Jim McLean Golf School or grab a bite to eat at Ebert’s Terrace after a round at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club. Order Indian classics like Butter Chicken, Saag Paneer, or Channa Masala at Coriander. Sample Thai dishes like Panang Curry, Singapore Rice Noodles, or Kani Tempura Roll at Thai Chili & Sushi. Socialize at communal picnic tables while knocking back a White Rascal, 90 Shilling, or Apricot Blonde beer at Green Valley Ranch Beer Garden. Or eat locally-sourced ice cream, snacks, and entrees like Lonche de Pierna, Torta Ahogada, and Sincronizada at Neveria Un Limon.

LoDo

Photo via @denverrental

Home Price: $441,900 median purchase price; $1,342 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 91% of Denver neighborhoods
Perfect For: Singles, young professionals

LoDo, or Lower Downtown Denver, is one of the best neighborhoods in Denver for young professionals. Centered around Denver’s main RTD hub and historic Union Station, LoDo is the oldest neighborhood in Denver. Despite its age, LoDo is a safe Denver neighborhood that perfectly blends historical influence and modern urban energy. As one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Denver, and the city center, LoDo is a bustling hub of activity, so residents will walk to work or easily commute to the office using multiple RTD stations and nearby I-25. Residents looking for an apartment in a safe Denver neighborhood can find a home in LoDo, in newer buildings beside affordable brick condos.

Things to Do in LoDo

Buy tickets to world-class exhibitions and lecture series or take a self-guided mobile tour at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. Unleash your pup at the dog park or get active on the baseball and soccer fields in Confluence Park. Cheer on the Colorado Rockies (MLB) at Coors Field. Invite friends to dinner, drinks, and a game at mini-golf bar Urban Putt. Bask in the glow of neon signs, street art, and graffiti while sampling classic Chinese street food like Shrimp Cracklins, In-N-Baout Roujiamos, or Hainan Chicken Skewers at Bao Brewhouse. Get a Southern kick from meals like Cast Iron Pork, Creole Shrimp Linguine, or Sriracha Honey Fried Chicken & Waffles at Tupelo Honey Cafe. Chow down on Mexican comfort food like a Tamale Plate, Pollo Adobado, or a Soft Chile Relleno at D’Corazon Mexican Restaurant. Or sit down to hearty German entrees like the Rhein Brat, Schweinshaxe, and the Grillwurst Platter at Rhein Haus Denver.

University

Photo via @jasoncummingsdenverrealtor

Home Price: $546,855 median purchase price; $1,318 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 82% of Denver neighborhoods
Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families

The University neighborhood surrounds the University of Denver campus and offers residents lush nature for all kinds of outdoor recreation. One of the biggest parks in Denver, Washington Park, sits just south of University and lets residents escape from an urban landscape to flower gardens, lakes, and a boathouse. Homes in the area are mostly ranches, but there are a variety of apartments, duplexes, and condo living options. Established families living in University can send their kids to Denver South High School just a short distance away. But households with a commuting member are often drawn to this neighborhood because its streets are safe and excellent for commuting—with quick access to the University of Denver RTD Station, I-25, and Hwy 85.

Things to Do in University

Peek through the 20-inch refracting telescope and gaze at the stars during a free public night at Chamberlin Observatory. Hike, picnic, or catch butterflies at Prairie Park or McWilliams Park. Sign the kids up for P.A.S.S. Camp, skate on the ice rink, play lacrosse, or swim in the aquatics center at the Ritchie Center. Buy tickets for a music and dance show, ballet, or lecture at The Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts. Start the day with fresh-baked Su Borek, Sucuk Tost, or Manti at Istanbul Cafe & Bakery. Try the Nashville Hot, Deluxe, or Rancher Chicken Sandwiches at Birdcall. Order the Sofritas Tacos, Chile Rellenos, or Pioneer Burger with a margarita at The Pioneer Bar. Or stop for Sheesh Kabob, Beef Shawarmah, and other Middle Eastern dishes at Jerusalem Restaurant.

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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes