By Jessica Car · Updated July 2026
Small city between Denver and the suburbs, light rail, Swedish Medical, and a revitalizing downtown
Englewood is a compact inner-ring city of about 34,000 in Arapahoe County, just 7 miles south of downtown Denver. It is small enough to cross in minutes and connected enough to skip the car entirely: light rail runs to both downtown and the Denver Tech Center, a Level I trauma hospital anchors the local economy, and the Broadway corridor is in the middle of a genuine revival.
The frame for buyers is simple. This is inner-ring access at prices well below the Denver neighborhoods next door.
The median runs $450K to $520K as of 2026, the most affordable in the south metro, roughly $100K or more below the adjacent Denver neighborhoods and $165K below Littleton. The stock mixes post-war bungalows with newer condos. Cost of living lands about 24% above the national average.
Estimated monthly cost at the $485,000 median home price and a $500 car payment. Open the calculator to adjust for your situation.
Estimated monthly cost
$4,331 – $4,731/mo
Covers housing, transportation, utilities, and groceries.
See the full breakdown: mortgage at today's rate, property tax at Englewood's mill levy, utilities at local provider rates, and a gas estimate tuned to the commute distance. Adjust sliders to model your own budget.
CityCenter Englewood puts a mixed-use hub right at the light rail station, and the Broadway corridor is building a real independent dining and retail identity around it. Recreation leads with Belleview Park, 27 acres with a mini train and a fishing pond, plus Pirates Cove Water Park and the Mary Carter Greenway. Swedish Medical Center, a Level I trauma facility, is both the city's largest employer and a community anchor.
Dining spreads across 75-plus restaurants, from Culinary Dropout to the iconic Cherry Cricket and Chicago Mike's, with four or more breweries. Culture shows up outdoors: the Museum of Outdoor Arts scatters 40 artworks through downtown, with Hampden Hall at the Civic Center and Englewood Arts filling the calendar. Grocery covers King Soopers, Safeway, Natural Grocers, and the Asian markets on Federal.
Englewood Schools is a small district, about 3,000 students in total, rated B-minus, with Englewood High and the A-minus Colorado's Finest Alternative High School. The wrinkle worth knowing: some Englewood addresses zone to the stronger Cherry Creek or Littleton districts instead, which makes the specific address unusually consequential here.
District boundaries are complex in Denver. Verify school assignment by address.
Englewood is genuinely transit-oriented for a suburb, with a Walk Score of 61 and a Bike Score of 62. The RTD E and H Lines at Englewood Station run straight to downtown Denver in 12 to 18 minutes off-peak and to the Denver Tech Center in 10 to 15, a two-direction commute few suburbs can offer. The Mary Carter Greenway along the South Platte River carries cyclists through the city in both directions.
Englewood suits transit-first buyers who want inner-ring affordability with rail to both downtown and the Tech Center, a walkable core by suburban standards, and a Broadway scene on the way up. It punches well above its size.
The trade-offs are schools and density. The local district rates B-minus, so the Cherry Creek and Littleton zoning that some addresses carry does a lot of work, and this is a dense inner-ring setting rather than a spacious suburb. Buyers set on top-rated schools or a big yard will weigh Centennial or Littleton; buyers who prize a 15-minute train to either job center will find the math hard to beat.
The effective property tax rate is about 0.52% in Arapahoe County, below the state median, with a combined sales tax of 8.05%. The City of Englewood supplies water, Xcel handles power, and internet runs fast here: Quantum Fiber up to 8 Gbps, plus Comcast. Childcare lands at $1,100 to $1,400 a month across 17-plus centers, with a 5-star Englewood Schools early-childhood program and Colorado Universal Preschool.
Updated June 2026
Communities in the same region, same county, or a similar price tier as Englewood.
Englewood Schools (Englewood 1) is rated B− by Niche. The district is compact with approximately 3,000 students total. Colorado’s Finest Alternative High School, within the district, holds an A− Niche rating. Some Englewood addresses zone to Cherry Creek SD or Littleton SD, which are higher-rated districts. Verify enrollment eligibility by address. The district boundary significantly impacts school options.
Englewood is approximately 7 miles south of downtown Denver via I-25 or Broadway. The off-peak commute to downtown is just 12–18 minutes, extending to 25–40 minutes during rush hour. The RTD E and H Line light rail stops at Englewood Station provide direct service to both downtown Denver and the DTC. The commute to DTC is 10–15 minutes via I-25 south.
As of 2026, the median home price in Englewood is approximately $450K–$520K. This makes Englewood one of the more affordable inner-ring suburbs. Home prices run $100K+ below adjacent Denver neighborhoods. The housing stock is a mix of post-war bungalows and newer condos.
Belleview Park is a 27-acre community park with a mini train ride, playground, and fishing pond. The Mary Carter Greenway connects to the South Platte River Trail, linking Englewood to Denver’s broader trail network in both directions. Jason Park offers sports fields and hosts community events. Pirates Cove Water Park is a popular summer destination.
Englewood’s cost of living index is approximately 123.7 (national average = 100), or about 24% above the national average. The median household income is $68,000–$75,000 with a median age of about 37. The effective property tax rate is roughly 0.52% (Arapahoe County, below the state median). Sales tax is 8.05% combined. Colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax.
Englewood has 75+ restaurants with a growing independent dining scene along the Broadway corridor. Highlights: • Culinary Dropout, upscale bar food at CityCenter • Chicago Mike’s, authentic Chicago Italian beef and hot dogs • Cherry Cricket, iconic Colorado burger joint • Sunroom Brewing, Lady Justice Brewing, Sanitas Brewing, and I C Brewhouse (4+ taprooms) • CityCenter Englewood, transit-oriented mixed-use development at the light rail station • Englewood Farmers Market (summer)
Swedish Medical Center, an HCA HealthONE facility, is located in Englewood and serves as a Level I Trauma Center. It is the community’s largest employer and one of the premier trauma hospitals in the Denver metro area, providing comprehensive emergency and specialty care.
