Cherry Creek

Denver's luxury corridor, world-class retail, dining, and tree-lined streets

Population
~7,500
County
Denver County
From Downtown
~4 mi SE via Speer Blvd
Median Home
$1.1M–$1.6M

Cherry Creek sits about 4 miles southeast of downtown along Speer Boulevard, roughly 7,500 residents in Denver's most established luxury corridor. This is where the city goes to walk: tree-lined blocks, galleries, and more boutiques per step than anywhere else in Colorado.

The frame for buyers is short. Walkable, high-end urban living, with world-class retail and some of the state's best dining, at the top of central Denver's price range.

Browse all 5 Cherry Creek neighborhoods

By Jessica Car · Updated August 2026

Loading map…
Life Here

Lifestyle & Culture

Cherry Creek North packs 600-plus boutiques, galleries, and cafes into 16 walkable blocks, anchored by the Cherry Creek Shopping Center and its Saks, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany, and Louis Vuitton storefronts. Dining reaches the top of the city: Elway's at the Ritz-Carlton, Matsuhisa, Barolo Grill, and Uchiko, which arrived in February 2026 with a James Beard pedigree, all backed by a dense coffee bench of Aviano, Novo, and Olive & Finch.

The free Cherry Creek Arts Festival takes over July 4th weekend with 260-plus juried artists and a Gold Grand Pinnacle Award on its shelf, and the calendar keeps going with Bastille Day and the summer Throwback Thursdays concerts, all alongside a 20-gallery arts district. Grocery means the Whole Foods on 1st Avenue and a King Soopers nearby.

Upcoming Events
  • Aug 19
    recurring
    Summer Concert Wednesdays
    Little Man Ice Cream, Cherry Creek North · Weekly outdoor concert series with live music and DJ sets, running through September 2.
  • Aug 19
    recurring
    Om Away from Home Meditation
    Ross-Cherry Creek Library · Introductory meditation session at the Ross-Cherry Creek library branch; participants may bring their own cushion or use provided chairs.
  • Aug 22
    recurring
    Cherry Creek Fresh Market
    Cherry Creek Shopping Center (east side) · Weekly outdoor farmers market with Colorado produce, flowers, artisan food vendors, and live music, running through October 10.
  • Aug 25
    recurring
    Bird Dog at Rare Bird
    Rare Bird Rooftop, Halcyon Hotel · Free rooftop happy hour for dog owners and their pets on the last Tuesday of the month, benefiting the animal adoption group True Companions.
  • Aug 28–29
    Cherry Groove
    Fillmore Plaza · Two-day outdoor music festival at Fillmore Plaza with live bands, local food and drink vendors, and interactive activities.
  • Sep 12
    recurring
    Second Saturday Art Walk
    Cherry Creek North · Self-guided monthly walk through Cherry Creek North boutiques and galleries featuring sculpture, painting, illustration, and design.
  • Sep 19–20
    Cherry Creektoberfest
    Fillmore Plaza · Two-day Oktoberfest-style festival at Fillmore Plaza with German beverages, stein-hoisting competitions, and live music.
Updated August 2026. Event details change; confirm on the linked page. External links open in a new tab.
Community Snapshot

At a Glance

Elevation
5,280 ft
Founded
1882
Population
~7,500
Area
1.7 sq mi
Walk Score77
Bike Score73
TrailsCherry Creek Trail (20+ miles, continuous)
Parks & Outdoors
Cherry Creek Trail, 20+ miles, biking/walking, downtown to Franktown
Pulaski Park, playgrounds, gathering space, near Gates Tennis Center
Cherry Creek State Park, 4,200 acres, 35 mi trails, east in Aurora
Cheesman Park, nearby, formal gardens, mountain views
The Bottom Line

Who Cherry Creek Fits

Cherry Creek fits buyers after walkable luxury: high-end retail out the front door, the city's best dining bench, strong schools, and an arts calendar that never quite stops. It asks the city's highest price tier in return.

The trade-off is almost entirely price. A $1.1M to $1.6M median makes this one of the most expensive corners of central Denver, and every dollar of it is priced into the address. Buyers who want curated urban living at the high end treat Cherry Creek as Denver's benchmark; value-focused buyers usually land in Platt Park or Baker instead.

Updated August 2026

Tools

Cost of Living in Cherry Creek

Estimated monthly cost at the $1,350,000 median home price and a $500 car payment. Open the calculator to adjust for your situation.

Estimated monthly cost

$9,419 – $9,819/mo

Covers housing, transportation, utilities, and groceries.

See the full breakdown: mortgage at today's rate, property tax at Cherry Creek's mill levy, utilities at local provider rates, and a gas estimate tuned to the commute distance. Adjust sliders to model your own budget.

Education

Schools & Childcare

Compare schools across every metro community in the Schools & Parks guide.

Denver Public Schools covers Cherry Creek with a B-plus rating, and the local lineup is strong: Bromwell Elementary earns an A-minus with a 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio, East High School carries an A and ranks No. 10 among Colorado public high schools, and Christ the King offers a private option inside the corridor. DPS runs on choice enrollment, so the school a student attends is an application question as much as an address question.

District boundaries are complex in Denver. Verify school assignment by address.

  • Bromwell Elementary
  • East High School
  • Christ the King Catholic
  • Multiple private school options in corridor
Getting Around

Commute & Transit

See drive and transit times for the whole metro in the Commute guide.

Few Denver neighborhoods make the car this optional: Walk Score runs 77 to 82 and Bike Score 73. Downtown is 10 to 15 minutes off-peak via Speer or Colorado Boulevard, the Denver Tech Center 12 to 18 minutes south on Colorado to I-25, and the Cherry Creek Trail, 20-plus continuous miles, connects the neighborhood to Union Station by bike. The Cherry Creek transit station adds R Line and bus service.

Downtown Denver
10–15 min
Rush hour: 20–35 min
Speer Blvd or Colorado Blvd
DTC / Tech Center
12–18 min
Rush hour: 25–40 min
Colorado Blvd south to I-25
Cherry Creek Station, R Line + 5 bus routes
Cherry Creek Trail, 20+ mi multi-use path to downtown & south
Housing Market

Get A Market Snapshot

Jessica Car
Local Realtor & Lender
Talk to a Local Pro

What Homes Cost

Updated August 2026

The median runs $1.1M to $1.6M as of 2025 to 2026, a wide range that reflects the mix of condos and single-family homes, at roughly $406 to $428 per square foot. That puts Cherry Creek on par with Washington Park and $200K to $700K above neighboring Platt Park. The market stays competitive, with homes moving in 19 to 26 days and about 77% owner-occupancy.

Go Deeper

Resources

The effective property tax rate is about 0.50% in Denver, with a combined sales tax of 9.15%. Denver Water supplies the taps, Xcel handles power and gas, and internet options include Xfinity, CenturyLink Quantum Fiber, and Google Fiber. Citywide cost of living runs about 28% above the national average, and Cherry Creek's housing sits well above that baseline.

Common Questions

FAQ, Cherry Creek

What are the school ratings in Cherry Creek?

Cherry Creek is served by Denver Public Schools, rated B+ by Niche. Bromwell Elementary holds an A− rating with a 10/10 GreatSchools score and a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. East High School is rated A and ranked #10 among public high schools in Colorado. Christ the King Catholic School (A+, Niche) is a strong private option. The Hilltop area connects to the same DPS zone, verify enrollment by address.

How is the commute from Cherry Creek to downtown?

Cherry Creek is approximately 4 miles southeast of downtown via Speer Blvd. Off-peak drives take 10–15 minutes, extending to 20–35 minutes during rush hour. The Cherry Creek Station serves the R Line plus five bus routes, and the Cherry Creek Trail provides a 20+ mile multi-use path to downtown and south.

What is the median home price in Cherry Creek?

Median home prices in Cherry Creek range from $1.1M to $1.6M, with Zillow at ~$1.09M and Redfin at ~$1.6M as of 2025–2026. The wide range reflects the condo-versus-single-family mix. Price per square foot runs ~$406–$428, and homes average 19–26 days on market.

What parks and outdoor recreation are available in Cherry Creek?

The Cherry Creek Trail spans 20+ miles from downtown to Franktown, offering biking and walking on both concrete and dirt surfaces. Pulaski Park features playgrounds and gathering space near Gates Tennis Center. Cherry Creek State Park covers 4,200 acres with 35 miles of trails, and Cheesman Park is nearby with formal gardens and mountain views.

What is the cost of living in Cherry Creek?

Denver’s cost of living index is 128, or 28% above the national average per BestPlaces. Property taxes are ~0.50% effective (~79.2 mills), combined sales tax is 9.15%, and Colorado’s flat state income tax is 4.4%. Median household income in Cherry Creek ranges from $148K to $152K.

What are the top restaurants and dining options in Cherry Creek?

Cherry Creek concentrates some of Denver’s most acclaimed dining: • Elway’s at the Ritz-Carlton, USDA Prime steaks, Wine Spectator awarded • Matsuhisa, Nobu’s Japanese/Peruvian concept • Barolo Grill, Northern Italian, 30+ years, award-winning cellar • Uchiko, James Beard winner Tyson Cole, opened February 2026 • 801 Chophouse, high-end steakhouse • Aviano Coffee, two locations with artisanal brews and indoor/outdoor seating

What healthcare facilities are near Cherry Creek?

National Jewish Health at 1400 Jackson Street is a leading respiratory care facility with walk-in services. UCHealth Cherry Creek Medical Center at 100 Cook Street and AFC Urgent Care Cherry Creek provide additional urgent care options.