Denver Ranks Second in National Desirability Survey
The Clever Real Estate report places Colorado third in state rankings, citing sunny weather and scenic value over cost of living.
By Harper Foster ·
Denver secured the second-highest ranking for desirable cities in the United States according to a survey released this week.
The data, collected by Clever Real Estate from 1,000 Americans, positions the city behind Nashville in the overall category. Denver trailed the Tennessee capital by 0.4 percentage points for the top spot. The city also claimed the title of the most beautiful city in the nation. It surpassed Seattle by 0.3 points in that specific metric.
The report attributes Denver's high standing to its physical environment and daily livability. The city receives more sunny days than Miami annually, a factor respondents weighed heavily. Walkable historic neighborhoods and public art installations also contributed to the score. Denver placed in the top 10 for the nicest residents, a category typically led by Southern cities such as Charlotte and Nashville.
At the state level, Colorado ranked third for desirability, following Florida and California. The state also placed third for best scenery, behind Hawaii and Alaska. In the category for most underrated states, Colorado finished fourth. Wyoming held the top position in that list, followed by Vermont and Tennessee. The survey suggests that many respondents still view the state primarily through the lens of mountains and skiing rather than its full lifestyle range.
Colorado Springs emerged as a strong competitor among midsize cities. It finished second on that list, trailing Honolulu by one percentage point. With Hawaii's cost of living rising, the report notes that Colorado Springs offers similar natural beauty at a lower price point. Six of the ten most desirable midsize cities are located in the West, sharing attributes with larger hubs like Phoenix and Seattle while providing more space and lower costs.
Respondents in the survey indicated a shift in priorities. They now value safety and affordability more than the pleasant weather that previously dominated their lists. Both Denver and Colorado Springs received mid-range rankings for low crime rates. These scores suggest the cities are safer than many major coastal counterparts, a factor that supports their overall desirability ratings.
The survey was conducted to gauge national sentiment on where to live in 2026. It highlighted the ongoing appeal of Western states for their combination of outdoor recreation and cultural amenities. The results reflect a national trend toward prioritizing tangible quality of life factors over traditional coastal prestige.
