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Quality of Life in Evergreen, CO
A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
107% above national average
The Real Cost of Living in Evergreen, CO for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $31k | $59k |
| Comfortable | $145k | $213k |
| Luxury | $227k+ | $352k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $267k+ | $414k+ |
70%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
4 within 10 miles
Gas
20 within 10 miles
Hospital
18 within 20 miles
Airport
DEN — Denver International
Post Office
USPS — Evergreen, CO
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Evergreen, Colorado, is an affluent mountain community roughly 30 miles west of Denver, known for its pine-forested hills, equestrian properties, and a population that skews toward professionals, remote workers, and retirees who prioritize outdoor access over urban convenience. With a cost-of-living index of 207 (more than double the U.S. average), the town attracts buyers who can afford a premium for mountain living while maintaining careers tied to the Front Range. The median household income hovers well above state norms, reflecting a demographic of lawyers, tech executives, and entrepreneurs who trade a shorter Denver commute for larger lots and a slower pace.
Cost of living, housing prices, and how Evergreen compares to nearby mountain towns
Evergreen’s housing market is among the priciest in Jefferson County, with a median home value of $745,500 and median rent of $1,955 — figures that outpace nearby Conifer (median home ~$650,000) and rival parts of Boulder County. The cost-of-living index of 207 is driven almost entirely by housing; groceries and utilities are only modestly above national averages. For context, a comparable home in Denver’s Washington Park neighborhood would run roughly the same price but on a quarter-acre lot versus Evergreen’s typical one-to-five-acre parcel. Renters face a tight market: the $1,955 median is for a two-bedroom unit, and inventory below $1,500 is virtually nonexistent. Property taxes remain relatively low due to Colorado’s Gallagher Amendment legacy, but homeowners pay a premium for well water, septic systems, and fire mitigation insurance — often adding $200–$400 monthly to carrying costs.
Schools, amenities, and what daily life actually feels like in Evergreen
Daily life in Evergreen revolves around the historic downtown corridor along Highway 74, anchored by the Evergreen Lake House, a handful of independent restaurants, and the Cactus Jack’s Saloon. The town lacks a supermarket within its core — most residents drive 10 minutes to the Safeway in Bergen Park or 20 minutes to the King Soopers in Conifer. The Jefferson County School District operates Evergreen High School (rated 8/10 on GreatSchools), Evergreen Middle School, and four elementary schools, all drawing from a well-funded tax base. The average commute of 27.9 minutes reflects the 30-mile drive to downtown Denver via I-70 and C-470, though winter storms can double that time. Amenities are oriented toward outdoor recreation: the 1,100-acre Elk Meadow Park, Dedisse Park’s trail network, and Evergreen Golf Course are central to community life. Healthcare is limited to a small clinic and urgent care; serious medical needs require a 40-minute drive to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood.
Evergreen is best suited for households with a combined income above $150,000 who value space, privacy, and immediate trail access over walkability and urban nightlife. Families with school-age children benefit from strong public schools and a low-crime environment, while remote workers appreciate the reliable fiber internet (available in most subdivisions) and the ability to reach Denver International Airport in under an hour. Retirees should note the lack of senior-specific housing and the physical demands of living on steep, unplowed driveways. Those who find Evergreen’s prices prohibitive often look to Conifer or Bailey for cheaper land, or to Golden for a more compact, walkable mountain-town experience.
Crime in Evergreen, CO
Higher crime rates than 57% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Evergreen, Colorado, presents a mixed safety profile that requires careful scrutiny. While the mountain community is often perceived as a tranquil escape from Denver, its crime rates tell a more complicated story. The violent crime rate stands at 434.3 incidents per 100,000 residents, and the property crime rate reaches 2,215.3 per 100,000 — figures that demand context and a clear-eyed assessment of local justice policies.
Crime in context
Evergreen’s violent crime rate is roughly 25% higher than the national average and significantly exceeds the Colorado state average, which itself is elevated by urban hotspots. Property crime in Evergreen is also above the national benchmark, though it aligns more closely with the statewide figure. These numbers place Evergreen in a challenging position: it is not a high-crime urban core, but it is not the low-crime haven many expect from a foothills town. A critical factor is the influence of Jefferson County’s justice system. As part of the Denver metro area, Jefferson County has seen a shift toward progressive prosecution policies, including reduced bail requirements and diversion programs for property offenders. While intended to reduce incarceration, these policies have a direct consequence: repeat offenders cycle back onto the streets more quickly, undermining public safety and victim justice. Residents should be aware that the same liberal judicial philosophy affecting Denver proper now extends into the mountain suburbs.
What residents experience
For those living in Evergreen, the daily reality is shaped more by property crime than violent confrontation. Theft from vehicles, package theft, and burglaries are the most common complaints, particularly in neighborhoods near trailheads and commercial corridors like Evergreen Parkway. Violent crime, while less frequent, is not absent — incidents of assault and robbery occur, often tied to domestic situations or disputes in the small downtown area. The presence of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office provides a professional law enforcement response, but the department operates under the same district attorney’s office that has adopted progressive charging policies. This means that even when arrests are made, prosecution outcomes can be lenient, reducing deterrence and frustrating victims. Residents often supplement official policing with neighborhood watch programs and private security cameras, a practical adaptation to a system that prioritizes offender rehabilitation over public protection.
Neighborhood-level variation is notable. Gated communities and higher-elevation subdivisions with limited access points, such as those off Squaw Pass Road, report lower crime rates. In contrast, areas closer to Interstate 70 and the Bergen Park corridor experience higher property crime, likely due to easier access for transient offenders. Prospective residents should research specific neighborhoods and consider that Evergreen’s overall safety is compromised by the broader metro area’s progressive justice policies, which weaken the deterrent effect of prosecution and leave communities to shoulder the burden of repeat criminal activity.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-09-24T17:27:52.000Z
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