Most and Least Attractive Denver Suburbs for Renters

In recent years, high rent prices in Denver have inspired plenty of renters to relocate to less expensive suburbs in the metro area. But cost alone doesn't seem to be driving a rise in the number of suburban renters. Indeed, the Denver suburbs that have seen the biggest boost in renters during the past half-decade have some of the area's highest rents.

That's among the surprising revelations in "Top Trending Suburbs That Have Seen the Biggest Boom in Renters," a new report from RENTCafe.

The site analyzed data from 491 suburbs around the country, then ranked them based on those that registered the largest percentage jump in renters over the previous five years.

Fifteen Denver suburbs were included in the survey, with the top finisher, Lone Tree, landing in the fourteenth slot nationally. Lone Tree's renter population has gone up by a striking 66 percent in the test period.

Lone Tree is also one of three suburbs among the aforementioned fifteen whose average rent (a figure that combines the costs for all types of rental units and properties) exceeds $1,600 per month. And the other two — Centennial and Highlands Ranch — are third and fourth when it comes to the heftiest growth in renters.

The renter proliferation is slower in several other, more modestly priced Denver suburbs. Still, only one metro-area suburb has actually seen a decrease in renters. Its national slot is 481, making it one of the least attractive suburbs for renters in the entire country. Maybe that's why it is currently the only metro-area community whose one-bedroom rent is the same price it was at this time last year.

Continue to count down the fifteen Denver suburbs, ordered by percentage increase of renters.
Number 1: Lone Tree
October 2018 rent: $1,613
Five-year rent change: 12 percent
Five-year renter change: 66 percent
National ranking: 14 of 491

Number 2: Thornton
October 2018 rent: $1,420
Five-year rent change: 30 percent
Five-year renter change: 34 percent
National ranking: 94 of 491

Number 3: Centennial
October 2018 rent: $1,633
Five-year rent change: 21 percent
Five-year renter change: 28 percent
National ranking: 125 of 491

Number 4: Highlands Ranch
October 2018 rent: $1,686
Five-year rent change: 14 percent
Five-year renter change: 27 percent
National ranking: 138 of 491

Number 5: Golden
October 2018 rent: $1,568
Five-year rent change: 24 percent
Five-year renter change: 25 percent
National ranking: 153 of 491

Number 6: Glendale
October 2018 rent: $1,476
Five-year rent change: 22 percent
Five-year renter change: 21 percent
National ranking: 206 of 491

Number 7: Littleton
October 2018 rent: $1,584
Five-year rent change: 26 percent
Five-year renter change: 17 percent
National ranking: 257 of 491

Number 8: Castle Rock
October 2018 rent: $1,533
Five-year rent change: 31 percent
Five-year renter change: 14 percent
National ranking: 295 of 491

File photo

Number 9: Arvada
October 2018 rent: $1,416
Five-year rent change: 40 percent
Five-year renter change: 14 percent
National ranking: 303 of 491

Number 10: Federal Heights
October 2018 rent: $1,341
Five-year rent change: 29 percent
Five-year renter change: 11 percent
National ranking: 344 of 491

Number 11: Englewood
October 2018 rent: $1,518
Five-year rent change: 26 percent
Five-year renter change: 10 percent
National ranking: 360 of 491

Number 12: Northglenn
October 2018 rent: $1,316
Five-year rent change: 31 percent
Five-year renter change: 10 percent
National ranking: 362 of 491

Number 13: Wheat Ridge
October 2018 rent: $1,263
Five-year rent change: 25 percent
Five-year renter change: 8 percent
National ranking: 381 of 491

Number 14: Westminster
October 2018 rent: $1,476
Five-year rent change: 29 percent
Five-year renter change: 4 percent
National ranking: 417 of 491

Number 15: Parker
October 2018 rent: $1,551
Five-year rent change: 18 percent
Five-year renter change: -8 percent
National ranking: 481 of 491