A new national report from RentCafe, a nationwide apartment search and rental market research platform, highlights a notable shift in how U.S. metro areas measure up as places to live. The annual Most Livable Metro Areas ranking evaluates nearly 150 metropolitan regions using a range of indicators tied to affordability, economic strength, health, and overall quality of life. The goal of the report is to help renters and policymakers understand how livability is changing across the country as everyday costs and lifestyle conditions evolve.

In the latest edition of the report, Denver fell to 72nd place nationwide, down sharply from 38th the year before. According to RentCafe analysts, the drop reflects growing pressure on residents as living costs rise faster than incomes, while key measures of wellness and housing stability weaken. Together, these changes suggest that Denver’s rapid growth is straining the very factors that once set it apart.

One of the most striking findings is the increase in physical inactivity among Denver residents, which climbed from 15.2 percent to 23.3 percent in a single year. This metric is often linked to access to walkable neighborhoods, safe outdoor spaces, and opportunities for everyday movement. A rise in inactivity can signal broader quality-of-life challenges, including longer commutes, limited access to recreational spaces, and higher stress levels that make it harder to maintain healthy routines.

The report also points to mounting affordability issues. Denver’s cost of living has climbed further above the national average while income growth has slowed, leaving many households with less financial breathing room. At the same time, the share of uninsured residents has grown, and severe housing problems among renters have increased, underscoring growing instability in the local housing market.

By comparison, other Colorado metros analyzed in the report, including Fort Collins and Colorado Springs, ranked significantly higher. Their stronger performance was driven by healthier lifestyle indicators, higher education levels, and more manageable commutes, offering a contrast to Denver’s recent trajectory.

RentCafe’s analysis suggests that Denver could regain lost ground by addressing these pressure points directly. Expanding affordable housing, investing in public transit and walkable infrastructure, and improving access to healthcare and recreational spaces could help reverse the rise in inactivity and housing strain. Coupled with policies that support stronger wage growth, such steps could help Denver rebuild the balance between opportunity, affordability, and well-being that once placed it among the nation’s more livable metro areas.