:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-2151962051-ae65ac5059354719bae528395c4dec94.jpg "This Underrated Colorado Retirement Gem Delivers Easy Mountain Access Without the High-Altitude Costs")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-2151962051-ae65ac5059354719bae528395c4dec94.jpg)
Key Takeaways
- Colorado is renowned for its stunning mountains, plentiful outdoor activities, and abundant sunshine. But many towns are too expensive for most retirees.
- Located less than two hours from Denver, Pueblo offers an affordable alternative to more expensive locations in Colorado.
- Health care access in Pueblo includes local hospitals affiliated with two major statewide medical center networks.
- You can enjoy Pueblo’s scenic riverwalk on foot or by boat, as well as nearby mountains and iconic Colorado views.
- Local organizations host senior-specific classes in art, yoga, and other popular pastimes.
Pueblo, Colorado, located in the southern part of the state is one of the 50 best places to retire, according to research Investopedia conducted with Travel & Leisure. It’s the only Colorado town that made our list. For the list, we examined median costs of housing, food, and taxes, proximity to a major airport, and access to health care, arts, and entertainment outlets.
What Makes Pueblo Worth Checking Out
Pueblo, Colorado, is a vibrant retirement destination that offers scenic views, proximity to the larger Denver metropolitan area, and an affordability not found in many popular parts of the state. With a charming river walk winding through the city center, a revitalized downtown, and a year-round calendar of festivals and community activities, Pueblo does not lack for diversions.
Better yet, access to health care, cultural events, and outdoor activities is available at a fraction of the cost of living found in other Centennial State retirement locations. While Pueblo is not directly in the mountains, the Wet Mountains can be seen from the city’s Liberty Point, and picturesque hikes can be found just 30 to 60 minutes outside town. Pueblo is also just a 40-minute drive from the Colorado Springs Airport and two hours from Denver International Airport.
Cost of Living in Pueblo County, Colorado
Unlike some other areas of Colorado, such as the expensive retirement locale of Castle Rock outside Denver, Pueblo offers a modest cost of living. Median monthly expenses in Pueblo County are $1,083 for housing and $608 for food.
Median monthly taxes in Pueblo County are $612. Bear in mind that Colorado taxes income from retirement accounts, including 401(k)s and IRAs, as well as from pensions and even Social Security. There is some respite from taxed retirement income, though. Colorado allows residents to deduct up to $20,000 in retirement income if they are age 55 or older, and up to $24,000 if they are age 65 or older.
| Cost of Living in Pueblo County | |
|---|---|
| Monthly Expenses | Estimated Monthly Costs |
| Housing | $1,083 |
| Transportation | $1,179 |
| Food | $608 |
| Taxes | $612 |
| Total Monthly Expenses | $3,482 |
How Pueblo City Costs Compare to Other Colorado Cities and Towns
Pueblo’s cost of living really shines when you compare housing costs to those of other attractive places in the state. Below is a sampling of desirable Colorado retirement destinations, most of whose costs dwarf Pueblo’s. If you choose to make Pueblo home, you can still visit these other towns, which are two to four hours away.
| Pueblo City Housing Costs Are Low for Colorado | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | Monthly Housing Cost | |
| Pueblo | $230,900 | $1,011 |
| Denver | $586,700 | $1,839 |
| Breckenridge | $757,100 | $1,876 |
| Boulder | $982,600 | $1,941 |
| Vail | $1,040,100 | $1,748 |
Lifestyle and Recreational Activities
The city of Pueblo has a population of 110,803, which is approximately two-thirds of the 168,726 population of Pueblo County. With a county median age of 40.4, the community is filled with amenities for residents of all ages.
Outdoor adventurers and animal lovers can take advantage of a network of walking trails and bird-watching opportunities at the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center. If you’re looking for hiking, Pueblo Mountain Park, Temple Canyon Park, Royal Gorge Mountain Park (featuring the world’s highest suspension bridge, which you can walk across), and Greenhorn Mountain Trail are all within a 30-to-60-minute drive of Pueblo.
Several museums offer portals into the city’s history, going back decades and even centuries:
Pueblo’s Creative Corridor, near the city center, hosts a growing arts community. Cultural and arts attractions include the popular Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival every September. Many other arts venues put on a variety of shows and performances throughout the year:
The highlight of the city center is the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo. The riverwalk winds through the heart of the city and offers both sunset strolls and sightseeing by water aboard the Pueblo Riverwalk’s Boat Rides, which are open seasonally from May through September.
Nostalgia lovers will find movie magic at the Mesa Drive-In theater, which has been in operation since 1951 and shows a mix of old Hollywood classics and modern showings.
Health Care and Accessibility
If you retire in Pueblo, you’ll have many health care options in Pueblo itself and within the nearby Colorado Springs and Denver metro areas. There are numerous senior-specific health care organizations within Pueblo, as well as a choice of hospital systems in the city:
- UCHealth Parkview Medical Center
- Pueblo Community Health Center
- CommonSpirit – St Mary-Corwin Hospital
- UCHealth Parkview Pueblo West Hospital
A benefit of health care in Pueblo is that both the UCHealth System and the CommonSpirit System are part of larger hospital networks that have locations in Denver and other areas throughout the state. By seeking medical care at one of those hospital systems in Pueblo, you can gain entry to networks of sister facilities if you need additional specialized care.
There are numerous resources and community organizations designed to meet the needs of seniors in Pueblo. City of Pueblo programs provide seniors with safety information, guidance on locating senior living, and even senior-specific storage units. The Senior Resource Development Agency (SRDA) organizes a full calendar of senior-specific social activities, recreation, and classes in painting, computers, fitness, and more. The SRDA also offers essentials such as food and nutrition, transportation, and housing.
Why Pueblo Remains Under the Radar for Many Retirees
For retirees seeking a budget-friendly location with access to bustling urban areas, Pueblo is a great choice. When people research retirement destinations, they may overlook Pueblo due to its high poverty rate in the recent past. That was due in part to the decline of Pueblo-based employment in the steel industry. But the city’s revitalization efforts have helped lower annual poverty by an estimated 7%, according to Census data.
The economic growth trends of both the city of Pueblo and Pueblo County show increasing household income and more economic exchange with surrounding counties. With a local economy trending in a positive direction and predicted to continue growing annually, Pueblo is a hidden gem that has retained affordability, especially when compared to nearby areas with significantly higher living costs, which may not be within reach for many retirees.
Click here to learn about the full methodology used to create these rankings.
