Where Denver Metro Home Values Are Holding Up Best in 2026
Denver home values are down across the board. That's the honest answer. But "down" doesn't mean the same thing in every ZIP code — and the difference between the strongest and weakest markets right now is nearly 3 percentage points.
If you own a home in the metro, or you're thinking about buying, that gap matters. Here's where values are holding up best — and why.
Key Takeaways
- Denver Metro home values are down YoY, but some suburbs are declining far less than others
- Broomfield is the most resilient market right now, down just 1.8% to $625,786
- Castle Rock, Arvada, Littleton, Lakewood, and Centennial round out the strongest-performing suburbs
- Aurora and the city of Denver are seeing the steepest declines — down 4.4% and 4.3% respectively
- School districts, limited inventory, and established neighborhood appeal are the common thread in resilient markets
The Denver Suburbs Holding Value Best in 2026
According to Zillow's Home Value Index, here's how the top performers stack up:
- Broomfield — $625,786 (-1.8%) — the most resilient suburb in the metro right now
- Castle Rock — $666,007 (-2.3%) — still the highest-value suburb on this list
- Arvada — $608,988 (-2.7%) — steady demand from buyers priced out of closer-in markets
- Littleton — $630,890 (-2.8%) — consistently strong schools and low turnover
- Lakewood — $565,592 (-2.8%) — tied with Littleton, benefits from proximity to both Denver and the mountains
- Centennial — $638,401 (-2.9%) — Arapahoe County's most stable suburban market
None of these are "growing" right now — that's not what this is. This is about which markets are losing value the slowest during a broader correction. That's a meaningful distinction if you're thinking about equity or where to buy.
What's Keeping These Neighborhoods Stable
It's not random. The suburbs holding value best share a few common traits:
Strong school districts. Broomfield, Littleton, and Centennial are all served by school districts with high ratings — and demand from families doesn't evaporate in a soft market. Buyers still prioritize schools, which keeps a floor under prices even when volume slows.
Limited inventory relative to demand. Castle Rock and Arvada don't have a glut of homes sitting unsold. When supply stays tight, sellers hold more pricing power, even when the broader market is cooling.
Established neighborhoods with low turnover. These aren't new-construction subdivisions where builders are cutting prices to move inventory. They're mature communities where most owners aren't distressed sellers — which means fewer price reductions dragging comps down.
Where Values Are Falling the Hardest
On the other end of the spectrum, two markets stand out as significantly weaker:
- Aurora — $458,953 (-4.4%) — the steepest decline in the metro
- Denver (city proper) — $530,920 (-4.3%) — close behind, and notable given its size
Commerce City (-4.2%) and Westminster (-3.4%) are also softer than the metro average.
Aurora's situation is partly a supply story — there's more new construction inventory competing with resales, and more price-sensitive buyers in that price range who are being squeezed by rates. Denver city proper is dealing with condo inventory, higher property taxes, and some outmigration to the suburbs.
That doesn't mean you can't buy or sell in these markets. It means you need to price sharper and have realistic expectations. See my breakdown of the broader market picture in the Denver Metro Housing Market Update for Spring 2026.
What This Actually Means for Buyers and Sellers
If you're selling in Broomfield, Castle Rock, Arvada, Littleton, or Centennial: You're in a relatively strong position. Values are softer than 2024, but your home hasn't lost as much ground as the headlines suggest. Pricing it right — not 2024 prices, but accurate 2026 comps — will get it sold.
If you're buying and want to protect your equity: The resilient markets are resilient for reasons that don't go away. School districts and established neighborhoods tend to recover first when the market turns. Buying in a fundamentally sound suburb at a small discount to peak prices isn't a bad position to be in.
If you're sitting on the sidelines waiting for the bottom: It's genuinely hard to call. Rates aren't helping. But if you're in a resilient suburb and you've got years of runway, the correction math looks a lot less scary. Read more on whether now is the right time to sell your Colorado home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Denver suburb has the highest home values in 2026?
Castle Rock currently leads with a median home value of $666,007, followed by Highlands Ranch at $701,699 — though Highlands Ranch has seen a slightly steeper decline (-3.2%). Among suburbs holding value best, Castle Rock offers the highest price point with relatively limited losses.
Are Denver home values going up or down in 2026?
Down — but not dramatically. Most Denver Metro suburbs are seeing year-over-year declines in the 2-4% range based on Zillow's Home Value Index. The city of Denver is down 4.3%, while stronger suburbs like Broomfield are down just 1.8%. It's a correction, not a crash.
Is Broomfield a good place to buy a home right now?
From a value-stability standpoint, yes. Broomfield has the most resilient home values in the Denver Metro right now — down just 1.8% year-over-year — thanks to strong schools, limited inventory, and consistent demand. Whether it's the right buy for your specific situation depends on your timeline, budget, and what you're looking for in a neighborhood.
The Denver market in 2026 isn't a single story — it's a dozen different ones depending on which suburb you're in. If you own a home in Broomfield, Castle Rock, or Arvada, the picture looks meaningfully different than if you're in Aurora or inner Denver.
Knowing where you stand is the first step. If you'd like a clearer read on your specific neighborhood, I'm happy to run the numbers.