By Jessica Car · Updated July 2026
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.
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.
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
$5,353 – $5,753/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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Updated June 2026
Communities in the same region, same county, or a similar price tier as 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
