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Retirement community in Golden, Colorado

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Golden, Colorado Retirement Guide

established retirement community
53

Retirement Score

Golden, Colorado at a Glance

Median Home Price
$698,700
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security partially exempt for seniors; limited pension deduction.
Avg January Low
12.9°F
Cost of Living Index
102.3 (US avg = 100)
Best For
established retirement community
RetireCityIQ Score
53 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Golden, Colorado, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
102.3 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$90,990High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Golden's cost of living is 2.299999999999997% above the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$698,700High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,712High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
58.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Golden using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$1,514

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$1,700

Median home price used: $698,700

Median rent reference: $1,712 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Golden, Colorado after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
Care Access (Proxy)
100 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
69.2 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Golden scores 100 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Golden

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Golden

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security partially exempt for seniors; limited pension deduction.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

Colorado has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
Avg January Low
Annual Precipitation
Sunny Days / Year

With 328.5 sunny days a year and an average January low of 12.9°F, Golden offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
92.7 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
69.6 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
5.4 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
20,461High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
35.2High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
12.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
5.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
54.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
88.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
1.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
10.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
1.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Golden

Is Golden, Colorado a good place to retire?

Golden, Colorado is one of the US retirement-friendly cities tracked by RetireCityIQ. Notable retirement-relevant traits include established retirement community. See the at-a-glance card on this page for the cost of living, state tax treatment, climate, and healthcare access metrics.

What is the cost of living in Golden, Colorado for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 102, roughly 2% above the national average of 100. Median home price is around $698,700.

Does Colorado tax Social Security or retirement income?

For Colorado residents: State income tax; Social Security partially exempt for seniors; limited pension deduction.

What is the climate like in Golden, Colorado?

Golden, Colorado has January average low around 13°F, July average high around 88°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Golden, Colorado?

Golden scores 100/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a top-tier score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

WESTERN WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC

Financial Advisor

GILPIN WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC

Financial Advisor

TRAILWISE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, LLC

Financial Advisor

+54 more financial advisors available

Interested in Golden? Talk to a Local Expert.

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