The 14 Cheapest Neighborhoods in Denver, CO

Ruby Hill ($1,150), Goldsmith ($1,316), Montclair ($1,320), Capitol Hill ($1,339) are four of Denver’s cheapest neighborhoods to rent in, with monthly prices considerably below the city’s $1,866 median rent.

But there are plenty of Denver neighborhoods where rent doesn’t have to break the bank. While Denver’s median rent hovers around $1,860 per month, there are parts of the city where you can save hundreds a month without sacrificing your social life, commute, or weekend adventures.

What are Denver’s cheapest neighborhoods?

Rank	Neighborhood	Median Rent	Savings vs City	walk score	transit score	bike score
1	Ruby Hill	$1,150	$716 (38%)	6	3	7
2	Goldsmith	$1,316	$550 (29%)	6	4	6
3	Montclair	$1,320	$546 (29%)	7	4	7
4	Capitol Hill	$1,339	$527 (28%)	9	7	7
5	Washington Virginia Vale	$1,342	$524 (28%)	7	4	7
6	East Colfax	$1,372	$494 (26%)	6	5	7
7	City Park West	$1,380	$486 (26%)	9	7	8
8	Mar Lee	$1,384	$482 (26%)	6	3	7
9	Hampden	$1,400	$466 (25%)	6	4	7
10	Cheeseman Park	$1,400	$466 (25%)	8	7	8
11	Athmar Park	$1,422	$444 (24%)	6	4	7
12	Congress Park	$1,440	$426 (23%)	8	5	7
13	Hale	$1,455	$411 (22%)	8	5	7
14	Uptown	$1,486	$380 (20%)	9	8	7

Source: Zumper 2026 rental data, analyzed on a 30-day basis

How much can you save by living in Denver’s affordable neighborhoods?

By renting in one of Denver’s cheapest neighborhoods, you could save a considerable amount annually, from $4,560 to $8,592 based on rent costs alone (although this is highly variable, depending on your personal financial situation). That’s vacation money, student loan payments, or a seriously upgraded emergency fund:

• Ruby Hill: $716/month × 12 = $8,592 annual savings
• Goldsmith: $550/month × 12 = $6,600 annual savings
• Montclair: $546/month × 12 = $6,552 annual savings
• Capitol Hill: $527/month × 12 = $6,324 annual savings
• Washington Virginia Vale: $524/month × 12 = $6,288 annual savings
• East Colfax: $494/month × 12 = $5,928 annual savings
• City Park West: $486/month × 12 = $5,832 annual savings
• Mar Lee: $482/month × 12 = $5,784 annual savings
• Hampden: $466/month × 12 = $5,592 annual savings
• Cheeseman Park: $466/month × 12 = $5,592 annual savings
• Athmar Park: $444/month × 12 = $5,328 annual savings
• Congress Park: $426/month × 12 = $5,112 annual savings
• Hale: $411/month × 12 = $4,932 annual savings
• Uptown: $380/month × 12 = $4,560 annual savings

How much do you need to make to live in an affordable Denver neighborhood?

Using the standard “don’t spend more than 30% of your income on rent” rule, here’s what the recommended income would be to live comfortably in each area: 

Neighborhood	Monthly Rent	Suggested Salary
Ruby Hill	$1,150	$46,000
Goldsmith	$1,316	$52,640
Montclair	$1,320	$52,800
Capitol Hill	$1,339	$53,560
Washington Virginia Vale	$1,342	$53,680
East Colfax	$1,372	$54,880
City Park West	$1,380	$55,200
Mar Lee	$1,384	$55,360
Hampden	$1,400	$56,000
Cheeseman Park	$1,400	$56,000
Athmar Park	$1,422	$56,880
Congress Park	$1,440	$57,600
Hale	$1,455	$58,200
Uptown	$1,486	$59,440

To cover Denver’s city-wide median rent ($1,866) with just 30% of your income, you’d need to make a salary of $74,640 annually, so even the most expensive neighborhood on this list saves you $15,200 in income compared to the city average.

Which cheap Denver neighborhood has the best transportation?

Several of Denver’s cheapest neighborhoods have walkability and transit access that rival those of expensive downtown areas.

Uptown leads the pack with a transit score of 8 and a walk score of 9, meaning your daily errands could be done on foot. Capitol Hill and City Park West tie for the most walkable, with a walk score of 9, while Cheeseman Park offers both great walkability (8) and transit access (7).

Transportation rankings for Denver’s most affordable areas:

Rank	Neighborhood	Walk	Transit	Bike	Description
1	Uptown	9	8	7	The car-free champion
2	Capitol Hill	9	7	7	Culture meets convenience
3	City Park West	9	7	8	Best biking infrastructure
4	Cheeseman Park	8	7	8	Solid all-around access
5	Congress Park	8	5	7	Very walkable daily life
6	Hale	8	5	7	Walkable with moderate transit
7	Montclair	7	4	7	Good for walking and biking
8	Washington Virginia Vale	7	4	7	Decent walkability
9	East Colfax	6	5	7	Moderate across the board
10	Ruby Hill	6	3	7	You’ll want transportation backup
11	Goldsmith	6	4	6	Mixed accessibility
12	Mar Lee	6	3	7	Limited transit options
13	Hampden	6	4	7	Family-friendly but car-helpful
14	Athmar Park	6	4	7	Plan your commute

What makes Ruby Hill, Denver appealing besides its cheap rent?

Here’s where affordability meets adventure. Ruby Hill delivers the lowest rent at $1,150/month (38% below the city median) while offering recreational amenities that would make expensive neighborhoods jealous.

Ruby Hill’s best features:

• Ruby Hill Park: 7.5-acre mountain bike park right in your backyard
• Levitt Pavilion Denver: 7,500-capacity outdoor concert venue (free summer concerts!)
• Ruby Hill Terrain Park: Winter sports without the mountain drive
• Federal Boulevard dining scene: Authentic Vietnamese and Mexican food gems

The trade-off: Lower walk/transit scores mean you’ll want reliable transportation, but the savings more than make up for it. Plus, highway access gets you to downtown Denver and mountain recreation easily.

Is Capitol Hill a good area to live in Denver?

Capitol Hill is a great area, with rents at $1,339/month (4th cheapest in the city), proving you don’t have to choose between budget and access to some of Denver’s best culture. You’re getting Denver’s most walkable neighborhood at hundreds less than typical city rents.

Capitol Hill’s primary appeal:

• A walk score of 9 means most errands are on foot (goodbye, parking stress)
• Transit score of 7 because of its great RTD connections
• Home to Fillmore Auditorium, Ogden Theater, Bluebird Theater
• Wax Trax Records and East 13th Avenue music scene at your doorstep
• 16,675 neighbors creating a vibrant, LGBTQ+ friendly community

Location perks: walking distance to downtown Denver,Civic Center Park, and Cheesman Park. It’s like living in the center of everything that makes Denver cool.

What makes City Park West, Denver special at $1,380?

Denver’s peak bike-friendliness. City Park West offers the highest bike score (8) among affordable neighborhoods while maintaining that coveted walk score of 9. This is where you can bike to world-class attractions and still make rent.

City Park West in a nutshell:

• Walk score 9 + transit score 7 + bike score 8 = Ultimate mobility freedom
• City Park is right outside your door
• Denver Zoo and Denver Museum of Nature & Science are within walking distance
• Easy bike commute to downtown Denver and Cherry Creek
• Perfect for car-free living with superior biking infrastructure

Does Uptown, Denver walkable or have good transit access?

This is as connected as Denver gets. Uptown has the highest transit score (8) among all affordable neighborhoods, along with a walk score of 9. If you’re looking to limit time in your car, this might be one of the areas of Denver where you can do so. 

Uptown’s perks:

• Transit score 8 means you can get anywhere in the metro area
• Walk score 9 puts daily necessities within walking distance
• Multiple RTD bus lines and light rail access
• Direct connections to downtown Denver and Denver International Airport
• Dense urban environment loaded with restaurants, bars, and entertainment

What amenities do Denver’s affordable neighborhoods offer?

Cheap rent doesn’t have to mean boring weekends far from attractions and nightlife. These neighborhoods pack in parks, culture, dining, job opportunities, or at the very least, some transit access to areas where you can play. 

Neighborhoods with attractions:

• Ruby Hill: Mountain bike trails, winter terrain park, and 7,500-person concert venue
• City Park West: City Park, Denver Zoo, Museum of Nature & Science all walkable
• Cheeseman Park: Historic Cheesman Park for running and relaxing
• Washington Virginia Vale: Four Mile Historic Park plus Cherry Creek access for shopping
• Congress Park: walking distance to Congress Park and Denver Botanic Gardens
• Athmar Park: Four neighborhood parks, including creative mosaic game tables

Food and nightlife scenes:

• Athmar Park: Federal Boulevard’s Little Saigon district plus Chain Reaction Brewing
• Capitol Hill: Denver’s music and nightlife epicenter with legendary venues
• Uptown: Dense restaurant and bar scene for urban dining adventures
• Montclair: Historic character with the 1888 Molkery building
• East Colfax: Diverse dining options plus proximity to Rose Medical Center

Career opportunities:

• East Colfax: Rose Medical Center – major healthcare employer
• Hale: 9+CO development with offices and retail
• Montclair: Easy access to the airport, downtown, and Denver Tech Center jobs
• Washington Virginia Vale: Denver Tech Center and Cherry Creek business districts
• Capitol Hill and Uptown: Downtown Denver within walking/transit distance

How do the cheap neighborhoods compare for different lifestyles?

Here’s where different types of renters tend to thrive in Denver based on what each neighborhood actually offers.

Young professionals climbing the career ladder might like:

1. Capitol Hill ($1,339): Here, you can live where the action is, with a walkable nightlife, and downtown access
2. Uptown ($1,486): This is a good commuter hub with premium transit, and an urban lifestyle
3. City Park West ($1,380): Offers a perfect bike commute, and cultural attractions for impressing dates with weekend museum visits
4. Washington Virginia Vale ($1,342): Tech corridor access, urban feel without the chaos, young professional community

For families putting down roots:

1. Hampden ($1,400): Suburban feel with family-friendly community events and schools
2. Washington Virginia Vale ($1,342): Established neighborhood with parks and family activities
3. Montclair ($1,320): Historic character, spacious lots, safe tree-lined streets
4. Cheeseman Park ($1,400): Park access for kids, quiet residential streets, community feel

Artists and creatives should consider:

1. Capitol Hill ($1,339): Denver’s creative epicenter. Home to music venues, artist community, cultural events
2. Ruby Hill ($1,150): Maximum affordability means more money for your art, plus community art projects
3. Congress Park ($1,440): Near arts districts, historic character, creative inspiration everywhere
4. Athmar Park ($1,422): Multicultural community, affordable studio space, diverse creative influences

For outdoor adventure seekers:

1. Ruby Hill ($1,150): Mountain bike park in your backyard, terrain park for winter sports, concert venue for summer
2. City Park West ($1,380): City Park trails, excellent biking infrastructure, zoo, and museum adventures
3. Cheeseman Park ($1,400): Park access for running, green space for relaxation, bike-friendly streets
4. Athmar Park ($1,422): South Platte Trail access, I-25 for quick mountain escapes

What are the transportation costs for each Denver neighborhood?

Uptown, Capitol Hill, City Park West, and Cheeseman Park are the neighborhoods in Denver where you can rely less on your car and more on your sneakers or a transit pass, which costs $2.75 for a 3-hour pass or $88 monthly. 

Plan your transportation backup:

• Ruby Hill ($1,150): walk score 6, transit score 3 = Budget for reliable transportation, but the rent savings help
• Goldsmith ($1,316): walk score 6, transit score 4 = Mixed accessibility, transportation planning needed
• Mar Lee ($1,384): walk score 6, transit score 3 = Limited transit, but quiet residential charm
• Athmar Park ($1,422): walk score 6, transit score 4 = Moderate accessibility, multicultural dining worth exploring

Best of both worlds options:

• Montclair ($1,320): walk score 7, transit score 4 = Good walkability for daily needs, some transit options
• Washington Virginia Vale ($1,342): walk score 7, transit score 4 = walkable with decent bike infrastructure
• East Colfax ($1,372): walk score 6, transit score 5 = Moderate across the board, decent bus connections
• Congress Park ($1,440): walk score 8, transit score 5 = Very walkable daily life, moderate transit
• Hale ($1,455): walk score 8, transit score 5 = Great walkability, 9+CO development adds convenience
• Hampden ($1,400): walk score 6, transit score 4 = Family-oriented area with moderate accessibility

Which Denver neighborhoods are best for different budget ranges?

Denver’s median household income is around $94,718, according to the US Census, and according to the 30% budgeting guideline, you’d need to make $74,640 annually to afford the citywide monthly median rent. This means, on average, many Denver residents can afford to live in the city (at least at the household level). So if you make below that, here’s where to consider based on your income. 

Where in Denver can you live if you make under $55,000?

Ruby Hill, with a median rent of $1,150, would be an area to consider if you want to spend under 30% of your income and make $55,000 a year. 

Other great options for people with salaries at or below $55,000 are:

• Goldsmith: Average rent price of $1,316 is 30% of $52,640 
• Montclair: $1,320 median monthly rent is 30% of $52,800 salary 
• Capitol Hill: $1,339, or 30% of a $53,560 salary
• Washington Virginia Vale: $1,342, 30% of a $53,680 salary 
• East Colfax: $1,372, 30% of a $54,880 salary

Where in Denver can you live if you make 65,000 a year? 

Neighborhood	Required Salary	Monthly Rent	Key Advantage
City Park West	$55,200	$1,380	Walk Score 9 + best biking infrastructure
Mar Lee	$55,360	$1,384	Hottest rental market (+15.38% YoY growth)
Hampden	$56,000	$1,400	Family-friendly suburban feel
Cheeseman Park	$56,000	$1,400	Beautiful park location + walkability
Athmar Park	$56,880	$1,422	Federal Boulevard food scene
Congress Park	$57,600	$1,440	Arts district + Botanic Gardens access
Hale	$58,200	$1,455	9+CO development proximity
Uptown	$59,440	$1,486	Premium transit access (Transit Score 8)

Where in Denver can you live if you make $75,000 a year? 

Every neighborhood on this list is comfortably affordable at this income level. If you make above $74,000 a year, you can afford to make your decision based on lifestyle preferences rather than budget constraints, even looking beyond these neighborhoods to where rents are closer to Denver’s median.

But to identify exactly what you can afford based on your personal financial situation, we recommend using a rent calculator to help you determine exactly what you can spend on rent, and find rentals that fit your criteria.

How competitive is the rental market in Denver’s cheapest neighborhoods?

This data tells you whether you’re entering a hot market or finding a hidden gem with cooling prices.

Hot markets (rents are rising):

• Mar Lee ($1,384): +15.38% YoY price growth = This quiet neighborhood is being discovered fast
• Congress Park ($1,440): +4.73% YoY price growth = Arts district location driving steady demand
• Capitol Hill ($1,339): +3.04% YoY price growth = Cultural epicenter maintaining its appeal

Cooling markets (prices dropping, better deals):

Neighborhood	Monthly Rent	YoY Decline	Opportunity
Montclair	$1,320	-22.12%	Historic character at newly affordable prices
City Park West	$1,380	-21.37%	Amazing park access with price corrections
Goldsmith	$1,316	-15.37%	Emerging opportunity with substantial savings
Uptown	$1,486	-9.85%	Premium transit access at lower prices
Washington Virginia Vale	$1,342	-9.26%	Tech corridor access with market adjustments
Hale	$1,455	-8.78%	9+CO development area with price corrections
Ruby Hill	$1,150	-7.78%	Already affordable getting even better
East Colfax	$1,372	-6.95%	Medical center area with moderate softening
Cheeseman Park	$1,400	-6.51%	Park location with slight price drops
Hampden	$1,400	-5.50%	Family-friendly area with gentle softening
Athmar Park	$1,422	-3.33%	Multicultural hub with slight price adjustments

Data source: Zumper 2026 rental market data

FAQ about the cheapest neighborhoods in Denver

What is the cheapest neighborhood in Denver?

Ruby Hill takes the crown at $1,150/month, saving you 38% compared to Denver’s $1,866 median rent. But “cheapest” doesn’t mean boring – you get a mountain bike park, concert venue, and terrain park right in your neighborhood. It’s proof that affordable living in Denver can still come with serious outdoor perks.

Can I afford to live in Denver?

Yes, if you know where to look. You can get started with a $46,000 salary in Ruby Hill, or step up to walkable Capitol Hill for $53,560. Compare that to the $74,640 needed for typical Denver rent, and these neighborhoods suddenly make the Mile High City very accessible.

What’s the average rent in Denver?

Denver’s median rent hits $1,866/month as of early 2026. The good news? The 14 most affordable neighborhoods we found range from $1,150 to $1,486, putting hundreds back in your pocket each month. That’s the difference between surviving in Denver and actually enjoying everything the city offers.

Is Denver expensive to live in?

It depends entirely on your income and rental strategy. Yes, some areas are pricey, but smart renters are finding quality neighborhoods from $1,150-$1,486 with excellent amenities, walkability, and transit access. The key is knowing where to look beyond the obvious expensive areas everyone talks about.

How much do I need to make to live comfortably in Denver?

Between $46,000-$59,440 annually gets you into great affordable neighborhoods, compared to $74,640 for typical Denver rent. Pro tip: Car-free neighborhoods like Capitol Hill and Uptown can actually reduce your total living costs by eliminating parking, insurance, and car payments.

Which Denver neighborhoods have the best walkability?

Capitol Hill, City Park West, and Uptown all score Walk Score 9 among affordable options. Uptown wins for transit with Score 8, while City Park West leads biking with Score 8. You’re not sacrificing walkability for affordability in these neighborhoods.