Broomfield
Colorado's only city-county, US-36 corridor with Flatiron Crossing and four school districts
Broomfield pulled off something no other Colorado city has: in 2001 it carved itself out of four surrounding counties and became the state's only consolidated city-county, with its own sheriff, its own courts, and its own services. It sits about 15 miles northwest of Denver on US-36, squarely between the two job centers that matter most on the Front Range.
What buyers get is metro-level shopping, entertainment, and trail access in a city of 80,000, with both Denver and Boulder roughly 20 minutes away. What they inherit is a famously complex school map, four districts in one town, left over from that four-county birth.
Browse all 32 Broomfield neighborhoods
By Jessica Car · Updated August 2026
Lifestyle & Culture
Broomfield packs metro-scale amenities into a city of 80,000. Flatiron Crossing anchors the shopping and dining scene with Macy's and Nordstrom, the 1stBank Center seats 6,500 for concerts, and the Interlocken business park keeps the local economy humming with names like Oracle and Ball Corp. The 68-plus miles of trail and Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park handle recreation.
Dining spreads across 150-plus restaurants, Meritage, Vinca, and Rock City Pie and Ice among them, plus eight or more breweries. Summer brings the free Wednesdays on the Waterfront concert series and Broomfield Days, and the 1909 Depot Museum keeps the city's short history close at hand. Grocery coverage is comprehensive: three King Soopers, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Sprouts, and Safeway.
- Aug 22recurringVeterans Museum Coffee & Conversation: Revolutionary War Battle TacticsBroomfield Veterans Museum · A former educator gives an informal talk on Revolutionary War battle tactics as part of the museum's twice-monthly speaker series.
- Sep 12recurringDog Daze at the BayThe Bay Aquatic Park · Dogs swim and play in the outdoor pool at The Bay Aquatic Park during a session set aside for pets, with tickets sold by time slot.
- Sep 19recurringBroomfield DaysMidway Park · The city's signature annual celebration includes a parade down Midway Boulevard, more than 300 vendor and food truck booths, a car show, and a DockDogs competition.
- Sep 30Conversation with Boulder Philharmonic: Music of ImmigrantsBroomfield Library Eisenhower Room · Boulder Philharmonic musicians perform and lead a facilitated discussion on immigrant musicians' experiences and their influence on the orchestra's repertoire.
- Oct 3Broomfield Historic Sites TourBroomfield Depot Museum · A guided tour visits Broomfield historic sites including the Depot Museum, Crawford Honey House, Brunner Farmhouse, and Lakeview Cemetery.
- Oct 8Motus Theater Storytelling WorkshopBroomfield Library Eisenhower Room · A Motus Theater facilitator leads an interactive workshop on identity and community through autobiographical storytelling and guided writing exercises.
- Oct 15Stories of Migration and MusicBroomfield Auditorium · Motus Theater monologists share personal immigration stories accompanied by a violinist, with the Boulder Philharmonic String Quartet performing musical responses to each narrative.
- Nov 5recurringOne Book One Broomfield: T.J. KluneBroomfield Auditorium · Author T.J. Klune discusses The House in the Cerulean Sea at afternoon and evening sessions as part of the citywide community reading program.
- Nov 14recurringJingle Bell Market Craft FairBroomfield Community Center · Local artisans display handmade crafts and gifts across multiple rooms at the community center, with an onsite cafe benefiting Broomfield Meals on Wheels.
At a Glance
Who Broomfield Fits
Broomfield suits buyers who want Denver and Boulder both within about 20 minutes, an exceptional trail system, and metro-level retail and entertainment without living in either big city. On those terms it delivers as well as anywhere on the Front Range.
The trade-off is homework. The four-district school map is genuinely confusing and genuinely consequential, since school assignment and to some degree taxes depend on which former county a home sits in. Prices span an unusually wide range too, so the Broomfield median can mislead. Buyers willing to do the district research get one of the metro's most capable mid-sized cities; buyers wanting a simple single-district answer may find it frustrating.
Updated August 2026
Cost of Living in Broomfield
Estimated monthly cost at the $610,000 median home price and a $500 car payment. Open the calculator to adjust for your situation.
Estimated monthly cost
$5,347 – $5,547/mo
Covers housing, transportation, utilities, and groceries.
See the full breakdown: mortgage at today's rate, property tax at Broomfield's mill levy, utilities at local provider rates, and a gas estimate tuned to the commute distance. Adjust sliders to model your own budget.
Schools & Childcare
Compare schools across every metro community in the Schools & Parks guide.
Broomfield's four-county origin left it with four school districts. Boulder Valley (an A) covers the northwest, Adams 12 (B+) the northeast, Jefferson County R-1 (A-) the south, and a small slice belongs to Weld RE-8. Which district serves a given home is the single most consequential fact about that home, and it changes block by block, so make the district map the first stop in any search.
District boundaries are complex in Denver. Verify school assignment by address.
- BVSD (A)
- Adams 12 (B+)
- Jeffco R-1 (A-)
- Weld RE-8
- Daycare Centers
- 37+
- Pre-K Availability
- Good, four school districts offer preschool; BVSD universal preschool strong
- Avg Monthly Cost
- $1,200–$1,600
Commute & Transit
See drive and transit times for the whole metro in the Commute guide.
Position is Broomfield's ace. Downtown Denver runs 20 to 25 minutes off-peak, Boulder just 15 to 20, and DIA lands 30 to 35 minutes away via E-470. The Flatiron Flyer bus rapid transit rides US-36 to both Denver and Boulder, backed by RTD bus routes. On two wheels the city holds its own too, with a Bike Score of 56 (8th in Colorado) and a 68-plus-mile trail network that ranks among the metro's best connected.
Get A Market Snapshot
What Homes Cost
Updated August 2026
The median runs $580K to $640K as of 2026, but the range matters more than the midpoint. Pockets near 120th Avenue start around $400K, central Broomfield generally lands between $500K and $650K, and Interlocken's luxury homes clear $800K. Cost of living sits about 32% above the national average, with housing doing most of the pushing.
Resources
The effective property tax rate is about 0.55%, among the friendlier numbers in the metro, against a combined sales tax of 8.15%. As its own city-county, Broomfield runs its own services: water is municipal, Xcel handles power and gas, and Comcast covers internet. Childcare runs $1,200 to $1,600 a month across 37-plus centers, with universal preschool available in the Boulder Valley zones.
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Common QuestionsFAQ, Broomfield
What are the school ratings in Broomfield?
Broomfield is unique in Colorado. Four school districts serve the city because it straddles four former counties. BVSD / Boulder Valley (Niche grade A) covers northwest Broomfield, Adams 12 (B+) covers the northeast, Jeffco R-1 (A−) covers the south, and Weld RE-8 serves a small portion. Which district serves your home is the most critical variable when buying in Broomfield. Always verify enrollment by address.
How is the commute from Broomfield to Denver and Boulder?
Broomfield is approximately 15 miles northwest of Downtown Denver via US-36. Off-peak, Denver is 20–25 minutes away (40–60 minutes rush hour). Boulder is just 15–20 minutes north. DIA is 30–35 minutes via E-470. The Flatiron Flyer BRT provides bus rapid transit service on US-36 to both Denver and Boulder.
What is the median home price in Broomfield?
The median home price in Broomfield is $580K–$640K as of 2026. There is significant variation: Interlocken luxury homes start at $800K+, central Broomfield ranges from $500K–$650K, and affordable pockets near 120th Avenue start around $400K+.
What outdoor recreation is available in Broomfield?
Broomfield has one of metro Denver’s best trail systems at 68+ miles of paved and soft-surface trails. Josh’s Pond and Outlook Park offer fishing and scenic views. Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park provides a summer water park. The Brunner Farmhouse is a historic site with community events.
What is the cost of living in Broomfield?
Broomfield’s cost of living index is 132.1, about 32% above the national average, with housing costs 95% above the national average as the primary driver. The effective property tax rate is approximately 0.55% (Broomfield County). The combined sales tax rate is 8.15%. The median household income is $105,000–$115,000.
What are the top restaurants and breweries in Broomfield?
Broomfield has 150+ restaurants. Notable options include: • Meritage Restaurant, sophisticated atmosphere and fine dining • Vinca, burrata, handmade pasta, and wine-forward menu • Rock City Pie and Ice, scratch-made focaccia-style pizza • The Enchanted Oven, French-Japanese fusion pastries The city has 8+ breweries and taprooms, including 4 Noses Brewing, Rails End Beer Company, and Wonderland Brewing.
What healthcare facilities are in Broomfield?
UCHealth Broomfield Hospital is located within the city. Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette is approximately 10 minutes away, providing additional hospital-level care options for Broomfield residents.