Golden 75 Excellent
Golden Livability #31 ranked city in Colorado#3,967 ranked city in the USARanks better than 86% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Golden

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

What's it like Living in Golden?

Located in the state of Colorado, Golden is a mid-sized city with a population of 21,021 people. The majority of Golden residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Golden, only 45% of the population is married. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Golden, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 26 minutes.

Living in Golden can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the city. Having said that, in the state of Colorado, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. To help you find the best places to live in and around Golden, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, education, employment and more.

Golden, CO receives 76 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #30 in Colorado and #3,059 in the USA. Based on this score, Golden would be considered a very livable city! If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Golden has higher than average rankings for the following: amenities (A+), education (B-) and employment (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Golden. The following was graded with a disappointing score: cost of living (F).

If you're considering living in Golden, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Golden provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area.

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Golden, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 124 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

Assuming that Golden meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Golden. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Golden are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Golden come in at $966,034, which is 102.1% higher than the Colorado average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Golden, the home price to income ratio is 7.9, which is 54.9% higher than the Colorado average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Golden

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Golden?

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Compare Golden, CO Livability

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      Golden transportation information

      Statistic Golden Colorado National
      Average one way commute26min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work65.5%75.2%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.2%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.8%3.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.8%1.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk7.5%3.0%2.8%
      Working from home18.3%7.0%4.6%
      Source: The Golden, CO data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.