I knew this is a great place to live, but I didn’t know how great, until I read the latest Travel and Leisure magazine.
These Are the 10 Best Places to Live in the Western U.S. in 2026—and This Colorado City Is No. 1
In the West, Broomfield, Colorado, took the No. 1 spot. Located just 18 miles north of Denver, Broomfield has it all: top-rated school and healthcare systems, a wealth of outdoor recreation, and a thriving job market. In addition to being close to the state’s capital, Broomfield is home to art museums and a vibrant restaurant scene.
The city, which has a population of around 77,000 residents, also hosts more than 700 acres of parks and green spaces, including a water park and an airport. Additionally, there are nearly 130 hiking trails in the area, totaling over 890 miles.
All these amenities come at a price, though. The average home value in Broomfield is $614,614 according to Zillow. (This number is about $80,000 more than the average for Colorado.) Payscale.com estimates the cost of living is 18 percent higher than the national average, with housing accounting for most of that difference. However, utilities are 13 percent cheaper.

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