What to Know Before You Move to Denver

With an abundance of sunshine, a bounty of outdoor activities, and a thriving culture right at your fingertips, it’s no surprise that Denver is one of the most attractive cities to live in. What makes it even better is the robust and diverse economy that makes it possible to enjoy an adventurous lifestyle.

The combination of the two makes Denver an ideal destination for settling down. For proof, the population of Metro Denver ballooned by nearly 100,000 new inhabitants from 2011 to 2018!

We can’t blame you if you’re looking to join the influx of new Denver residents. Before you pack up for the Mile High City, this information can help you understand what to expect from the mountain lifestyle.

It pays to live in Denver

While it’s true that Denver has become a much more expensive city to live in over the years, the cost of living is still considered lower than many other major cities like San Francisco or New York. Still, the overall expenses run 27% above the national average. Housing is the big reason, as it runs 83% above average.

The average monthly rent ran around $1,997 in 2022, while home prices were $581,631. Energy costs averaged $117.55.

MIT estimates a family of four with one working adult would need an hourly wage of $43.65 to have a “living” wage that covers all basic expenses with some savings. This makes the required annual income before taxes $90,790. This family could expect to pay an average $13,802 a year for food, $11,691 for transportation, and $20,437 on housing.

Real estate is in demand

Wherever you decide to live in Denver, you’ll be surrounded by stunning Front Range mountain views. Those same views and promise of an active lifestyle attracted many new residents after the Great Recession. High demand has definitely influenced Denver’s real estate market, pushing median sale prices to double from 2010 to 2020.

Owning property in Downtown Denver within walking distance of all the city’s attractions can be pricey. The median list price in February 2023 was $565,000, with almost 2,000 listings. However, the good news is projections for 2023 call for home price growth to slow to around 0.4%. Still, inventory is expected to be low as buyer demand remains high and the city continues to experience in-migration.

Denver has over 78 neighborhoods for you to explore, each with distinct character and charm. You can live in an arts-centered district, near the University, or a quiet suburban-style retreat.

Taxes aren’t bad

Colorado’s state income tax rate is a flat 4.55%, regardless of your income. That makes calculating what you owe easy.

Sales taxes in Denver include a 4.81% sales tax on retail sales, specific services, and products. The state charges a 2.9% sales tax. The regional transportation district charges an additional 1% sales tax, and there is a special cultural district tax, combining for 8.81% in sales taxes for 2023.

There are also property taxes to consider when owning a home in Denver. The county adjusts the actual value of single-unit residential properties by 6.95%. The millage rate in Colorado is $0.001 per $1 of value. The 2022 combined milage rate, incorporating the Denver Public Schools tax, was 79.525.

Quality education choices

The primary district is Denver Public School District No. 1, which with 80,000 students, has the full range of educational choices like traditional public schools, over 30 public charter schools, private and parochial schools, and specialized magnet options.

Depending on where you end up living in Denver, you could be served by one of the other 20 districts in the greater metro. For instance, Cherry Creek School District is one the largest local districts, with 51,000 students across 60 schools and programs. It includes a k-8 Challenge School and the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning. Mapleton Public Schools is much smaller, with 6,000 students, but has a school choice system with alternative and charter schools.

Continued job growth

Denver has become a popular destination for those seeking to lead a life-work-play lifestyle, thanks to its booming economy and growth in industries such as tech, aerospace, agriculture, and cannabis.

In 2023, the economy is expected to slow down, but Colorado is still anticipating job growth. It ended the year with a 3.3% unemployment rate, which was down year-over-year. Denver’s rate was 3.2% in September 2022. The 2021 average yearly salary was $78,450.

There are high-paid jobs available here if you can compete with the other job seekers. Colorado has the nation’s second-highest population with bachelor’s degrees, so many educated people are competing for professional services, technology, and science/research jobs. There’s also expected growth in the hospitality and leisure sector.

Traffic stalls

Get ready to wait…and wait…and wait…. Denver has a notoriously clogged commute ranked in the top 20 in the nation. Post-pandemic, its traffic woes have not eased. It’s working on it by expanding and building out an extensive public transportation system consisting of buses, light rail, and commuter rails.

It’s also home to one of the nation’s top-rated bike lanes, which can help you move quickly and safely around the city without burning gasoline.

Still, if you’re moving into town because of how close it is to the top ski destinations, just know you’re not the only one. Residents know the ski season jams well as people head out of town Friday and back Sunday. There are many articles about how to avoid the I-70 out-of-town ski traffic on Fridays and weekend mornings.

Weather is beautiful until it’s not

Denver has a semi-arid climate, which means low humidity and sunshine. Elevation significantly impacts temperature and precipitation amounts, but the average temperature ranges from 49°F in January to 92°F in July. Denver gets around 8-15 inches of rain yearly, making it drier than most other major cities.

Snow begins falling until late October and early November. The average snowfall is 65 inches in western suburbs to 47 inches near the airport, but it can vary greatly from year to year.

Denver’s location at the base of the Rocky Mountains means residents see a lot of sunshine (more than 300 days annually). You’ll definitely want to wear sunscreen, as you can be burned quickly due to the higher altitude and all that sunshine.

While it has a reputation for sun-shiny days, that doesn’t mean it can’t experience severe weather. Denver does, and when it happens, it’s pretty notable. The occasional thunderstorms bring enough wind to move dust and debris, kick up tornadoes, and cause dramatic flash floods. Those same winds can propel wildfires during the dry season.

You’ll also notice Denver locals tend to layer up, and there’s a reason. The temperature can fluctuate by as much as 30°F during the day, so it’s best to be prepared for rapid and dramatic changes.

Denver is delicious

Denver’s dining scene reflects the eclectic tastes of big-city living. Find everything from old-school dive bars and pubs to farm-to-table restaurants, chef-driven gastropubs, and high-end eateries. Denver has Michelin-star restaurants and James Beard Award nominees and winners.

You’ll also find a range of ethnic cuisine, from traditional Mexican food to authentic Korean BBQ and Ethiopian dishes.

Get a taste of the best at Denver’s Food and Wine Festival, a multi-day celebration of the dining scene that draws around 500,000 people.

Hopefully, you like craft beer, as Denver’s scene is happening. This is the home of the Great American Beer Festival, after all. Select from around 36 breweries across the Denver metro, with even more in the suburbs surrounding the metro. Some of the best-known pints are found at Dry Dock, Ska Brewing, Avery Brewing, and Great Divide.

Get out and play

Why just admire the 200 peaks from a distance when you can explore them up close? Denver locals frequently venture to the mountains for an action-packed day of skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, mountain biking, camping, and more.

And, when they can’t get out of town, no worries. Denver’s parks and recreation centers deliver beautiful green spaces across town. The largest is City Park, at 330 acres, but Confluence Park on the river is a popular picnic spot. Overall, you have 200 parks of varying sizes and amenities inside Denver.

Sports are a big deal here. The Denver Broncos have always been the premier team in town, even before their three Super Bowl wins. But there are also three other professional sports teams: Colorado Rockies in the MLB, Avalanches in NHL, and Nuggets in the NBA.

Inspire your creativity

Denver is jam-packed with creatives in all the arts. The city boasts over 22 music venues, 85 art galleries, and countless live theatrical performances. With so much to offer in the way of culture and entertainment, it’s no surprise that Denver has become one of America’s most popular cities to call home.

For art enthusiasts, you’ll find world-class museums like the Denver Art Museum and Clyfford Still Museum. The galleries, performance venues, and even small concert halls host local and national artists throughout the year.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is the second-largest complex of its kind in the country. The center always feels busy with Broadway productions, ballet performances, and operas. Denver has multiple professional theater companies, including the Denver Center Theater Company, Curious Theatre Company, and Buntport Theater.

Amazing street fairs and festivals

Denver organizes many events throughout the year that showcase what makes living here so great. While we can’t mention them all, a few capture the essence of the Mile High City.

National Western Stock Show: Held each January at the National Western Complex, this is one of the largest and oldest livestock exhibitions in the country. Come for equestrian events, rodeos, stock shows, and BBQ.

Great American Beer Festival: This event has been around since 1982, becoming one of the world’s premier beer festivals. It hosts breweries from around the world and features a beer competition.

Cherry Creek Arts Festival: Usually held in late June or early July, it’s a celebration of visual, performing, and culinary arts that showcases the talents of artists from around the world.

Five Points Jazz Festival: Held on the last Saturday of May, this free event brings live jazz to the streets of Denver in its “Harlem of the West” Five Points community.

Parade of Lights: Every year since 1975, the citizens of Denver have enjoyed an enchanting two-mile procession of marching bands, illuminated floats, and cultural displays that offer festive cheer accessible to all.

Marijuana is a fact of life

Colorado was the nation’s first state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Here, it’s not a big deal, as it’s taxed and drives service revenue. You’ll have to get used to seeing dispensaries and use them across town.

Pet-friendly Denver

Pets are beloved additions to your household and will enjoy living in Denver with you. The city has several dog parks with ample space to toss frisbees, play in water features, and roam free. You can find them at:

• Railyard Dog Park
• Fuller Park
• Berkeley Lake
• Cherry Creek State Park (107 acres of off-leash space!)

Well-behaved leashed pets are also welcome on trails throughout the city, like in Cheesman Park and Confluence Park.

Moving resources

The City of Denver wants to make sure you settle in easily, so the city provides resources for newcomers, such as relocation packages, helpful websites, and other tools.

Once you establish residency, the state gives you 30 days to get your driver’s license and 90 days to register your vehicle with a local Denver County DMV. Your vehicle must pass an emissions test first, so get that done at a location found here.

Check out the city site to sign up and find your local day for trash and recycling schedules.

You can register to vote while at the DMV or by going online.

Moving to Denver

You can see why living in Colorado is so attractive. Where else do you find a combination of arts and culture, outdoor activities, and a thriving economy? It’s no wonder why so many people move to Denver each year!

So if you’re in the market to call Denver home, consider all the great options this beautiful city offers. A local real estate agent can help you explore city living or the Denver suburbs.