Centennial
Colorado's youngest city, 110K people, Cherry Creek schools, and a quiet suburban identity
Centennial is one of Colorado's youngest cities, incorporated in 2001, and at about 110,000 residents one of the south metro's largest. It was created on purpose to stay suburban: no traditional downtown, no high-rises, just quiet residential streets with the Denver Tech Center next door.
The frame for buyers is established suburban calm, with the state's top-ranked school district covering the city's southern half.
Browse all 31 Centennial neighborhoods
By Jessica Car · Updated August 2026
Lifestyle & Culture
Centennial Center Park anchors community life with 11 acres, an amphitheater, and a splash pad, while the Streets at SouthGlenn handles open-air shopping, dining, and events. Cherry Creek State Park's 4,200 acres sit minutes away, and Topgolf plus the South Suburban rec centers, pools and ice arenas included, round out recreation.
Dining runs 150-plus restaurants, from Uncorked Kitchen & Wine Bar to Godavari's South Indian menu and Taku Sushi. The calendar brings the Centennial Fine Art Festival, a Chalk Art Festival, and the Grand Holiday Parade at SouthGlenn. Grocery is comprehensive: five or more King Soopers, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and H Mart.
- Aug 19Documentary and Dialogue: SurveilledKoelbel Library · A screening of the documentary Surveilled, about the commercial spyware industry, followed by a moderated discussion at Koelbel Library.
- Aug 22Cinematic Symphony: The Music of Star WarsCentennial Center Park Amphitheater · Symphony of the Rockies performs a live orchestral concert of Star Wars film scores at the Centennial Center Park Amphitheater.
- Aug 26recurringDancing in the Streets: Top Shelf 5280The Streets at SouthGlenn · Band Top Shelf 5280 performs live outdoors as part of the Dancing in the Streets summer concert series at The Streets at SouthGlenn.
- Aug 30Colorado 150: Celebrate the Centennial StateCherry Knolls Park · Live music, food trucks and a drone show at Cherry Knolls Park mark the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood.
- Sep 12recurringChalk Art FestivalThe Streets at SouthGlenn · Local artists create large-scale chalk drawings on the pavement at The Streets at SouthGlenn, alongside live music and food vendors.
- Sep 17recurringFestival de Cine Latino / Latin Film FestivalSmoky Hill Library · Smoky Hill Library opens a four-part Hispanic Heritage Month film series with a screening of the Spanish film Lullaby: Cinco lobitos in its original language with subtitles.
- Sep 24Meet Pierce Brown, Author of the Red Rising SeriesFranciscan Event Center · Bestselling author Pierce Brown discusses his Red Rising book series and signs copies at the Franciscan Event Center.
- Sep 27recurringCentennial Artisan FairNear Park Meadows · An outdoor market near Park Meadows brings together Colorado makers and small businesses selling handmade goods, artwork and food.
- Oct 17Sip in CentennialCentennial Center Park · Local breweries and distilleries offer tastings alongside food trucks and live music at Centennial Center Park.
At a Glance
Who Centennial Fits
Centennial suits buyers who want established suburban quiet, the No. 1-ranked Cherry Creek district, and a 5 to 15 minute run to the Tech Center with light rail as a backup. That combination keeps it among the south metro's most sought-after addresses, especially inside the Cherry Creek zone.
The trade-offs are by design. There is no walkable downtown or urban core, because the city was built to be residential, and the Cherry Creek-versus-Littleton school boundary creates real price and demand differences from one street to the next. Buyers after nightlife or a downtown scene will look elsewhere; buyers after top schools and suburban calm tend to look no further.
Updated August 2026
Cost of Living in Centennial
Estimated monthly cost at the $640,000 median home price and a $500 car payment. Open the calculator to adjust for your situation.
Estimated monthly cost
$5,418 – $5,618/mo
Covers housing, transportation, utilities, and groceries.
See the full breakdown: mortgage at today's rate, property tax at Centennial'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.
Schools are the defining feature. South Centennial falls under the Cherry Creek School District, rated A and ranked No. 1 in Colorado, home to the nationally top-ranked A+ Cherry Creek High, Arapahoe High (an A), and the A+ Campus Middle School. North Centennial addresses may fall under Littleton Public Schools, also a strong district. Because the boundary drives both home value and demand, the district line deserves as much attention as the listing itself.
District boundaries are complex in Denver. Verify school assignment by address.
- Cherry Creek HS
- Arapahoe HS
- Campus Middle School
- Daycare Centers
- 47+ providers (centers + home daycares)
- Pre-K Availability
- Good, Colorado Universal Preschool; Cherry Creek and Littleton SD programs
- Avg Monthly Cost
- $1,000–$1,300
Commute & Transit
See drive and transit times for the whole metro in the Commute guide.
Centennial sits next door to the Denver Tech Center, 5 to 15 minutes away, with downtown Denver 20 to 25 minutes off-peak. RTD light rail runs downtown directly from the Dry Creek, County Line, and Arapahoe stations, with bus routes along Arapahoe and University filling in. The city itself is car-oriented (Walk Score 30), but the High Line Canal threads 11 miles through town and the Cherry Creek trails pick up from there.
Get A Market Snapshot
What Homes Cost
Updated August 2026
The median runs $600K to $680K as of 2026, and the spread inside the city has one main cause: the school map. South Centennial addresses inside the No. 1-ranked Cherry Creek School District command a premium over north Centennial, which feeds Littleton schools, and that boundary is the most consequential variable in Centennial real estate. Cost of living runs about 24% above the national average.
Resources
The effective property tax rate is about 0.71% in Arapahoe County, and the combined sales tax of 6.75% is one of the metro's lowest. Water comes from Denver Water or the Centennial Water & Sanitation District, Xcel handles power and gas, and Quantum Fiber and Comcast cover internet. Trash is a private-hauler arrangement rather than a city service. Childcare runs $1,000 to $1,300 a month across 47-plus providers.
Similar Communities
Communities in the same region, same county, or a similar price tier as Centennial.
Common QuestionsFAQ, Centennial
What are the school ratings in Centennial?
South Centennial is served by Cherry Creek School District, rated A by Niche and ranked #1 in Colorado. Cherry Creek HS (A+) is nationally ranked, and Campus Middle School (A+) is its primary feeder. North Centennial may fall within Littleton School District, also highly rated. The school district boundary is the most important factor in home value. Verify enrollment eligibility by address.
How long is the commute from Centennial to Denver?
Centennial is approximately 12 miles south of downtown Denver via I-25 or I-225. The off-peak commute to downtown is 20–25 minutes, extending to 35–50 minutes during rush hour. Centennial is adjacent to the DTC, with a commute of just 5–15 minutes. RTD light rail stations at Dry Creek, County Line, and Arapahoe are nearby, providing direct service to downtown.
What is the median home price in Centennial?
As of 2026, the median home price in Centennial is approximately $600K–$680K. Prices vary significantly by neighborhood. South Centennial addresses in the Cherry Creek School District command a premium over north Centennial addresses in the Littleton district.
What outdoor recreation is available in Centennial?
Centennial Center Park is an 11-acre hub with an amphitheater and splash pad. Cherry Creek State Park (4,200 acres) is adjacent, offering extensive outdoor activities. The Centennial Link Trail is a multi-use path connecting neighborhoods, and the High Line Canal Trail runs 11 miles through Centennial. DeKoevend Park features sports fields, playgrounds, and disc golf.
What is the cost of living in Centennial?
Centennial’s cost of living index is approximately 123.7 (national average = 100), or about 24% above the national average, with the Cherry Creek SD zone commanding additional premium. The median household income is $126,224 with a median age of about 42. The effective property tax rate is roughly 0.71% (Arapahoe County). Sales tax is 6.75% combined. Colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax.
What dining and shopping options are in Centennial?
Centennial has 150+ restaurants and diverse options along the Arapahoe corridor. Highlights: • Uncorked Kitchen & Wine Bar, seasonal, locally sourced • Godavari Denver, South Indian cuisine • Taku Sushi • Resolute Brewing and Halfpenny Brewing (3+ breweries/taprooms) • Streets at SouthGlenn, open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment district • H Mart for Asian grocery and specialty items
What healthcare facilities are near Centennial?
Centennial residents are within 10 minutes of multiple hospitals, including Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree and Littleton Adventist Hospital. The city’s central south metro location provides access to a wide range of medical facilities across the DTC corridor.