Learn why Montrose, CO is a great place to live, work, and play.
Unbeatable access to the outdoors, affordability, business-friendly, and a wealth of lifestyle opportunities: just a few perks you get when you live and work in Montrose.
Lifestyle & recreational opportunities in Montrose
Outdoor Adventures
Montrose is surrounded by over 2 million acres of public land. Situated in close proximity to canyons, rivers, and alpine peaks, Montrose is a hub for awe-inspiring outdoor adventure.
Trails and Parks near Montrose, CO
Montrose Water Sports Park: 5 min
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: 15 min
Ridgway State Park: 20 min
Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area: 35 min
Blue Mesa Reservoir: 50 min
Colorado National Monument: 1 hr 15 min
Silver Jack Reservoir: 1 hr 15 min
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests: Varies
BLM Colorado’s Southwest District (900,000 acres of public land): Varies
Skiing
Montrose’s unique “Circle of Bliss,” which includes six ski areas accessible within roughly 2 hours or less from downtown, offers skiers and snowboarders virtually limitless opportunities to have some fun on the hill.
Ski Areas near Montrose, CO
- Telluride Ski Resort: 1 hr 15 min (south)
Powderhorn Mountain Resort: 1 hr 15 min (north)
- Crested Butte Mountain Resort: 1 hr 30 min (east)
Silverton Mountain: 1 hr 45 min (south)
- Purgatory Resort: 2 hr (south)
- Monarch Mountain: 2 hr 5 min (east)
Fly Fishing
From deep canyon pools and gently braided runs, to high country lakes and magnificent reservoirs, Montrose offers anglers of all ages and ability levels a chance to participate in some of Colorado’s finest angling opportunities. Rainbow, Brown, Cutthroat, Brook Trout as well as the Kokanee Salmon, can all be found within a short drive from Montrose. Throughout the summer, excellent access to the high country offers anglers unparalleled beauty and incredible insect hatches.
Mountain Biking
The vast expanses of public lands surrounding Montrose offer seemingly endless mountain bike trails and road cycling routes for two-wheelers of all experience levels. Varying topography in the area makes it possible to enjoy biking almost year round, with trails in the canyon/mesa country perfect for spring and fall riding, and high country alpine trails that open up in the summer.
Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)
Flying is a breeze in Montrose! Montrose Regional Airport was the most-traveled airport on the Western Slope in 2022, yet locals talk about getting through security in 20 minutes or less. Located less than 2 miles from Colorado Outdoors, the airport continues to set itself up for success by actively updating facilities and pursuing expansion.
Photo courtesy of Montrose Regional Airport
Key Facts: Montrose Regional Airport
480,000+
passengers served in 2023
$37 million
terminal expansion and remodel project completed in December 2023
75,000
sq. ft. terminal with recently completed expansion
2.1
miles from downtown Montrose
Non-Stop Flight Schedule – MTJ
Swipe to see more data in the table.
| Airport | Airline | Frequency | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta (ATL > MTJ) |  | Daily | Dec 21 – Mar 30 |
| Austin (AUS > MTJ) |  | Saturdays | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Chicago (ORD > MTJ) |  | Daily in winter, Jan 1-2x weekly, Wed-Sat in summer | Dec 19 – Mar 30, May 24 – Sept 20 |
| Dallas (DFW > MTJ) |  | 1-3x daily | Year-Round |
| Dallas (DAL > MTJ) | | 2-5x weekly in winter, Saturdays in summer | Dec 20 – Apr 7, June 7 – Aug 2 |
| Denver (DEN > MTJ) | | 1-3x daily | Year-Round |
| Denver (DEN > MTJ) | | 2-5x daily | Year-Round |
| Houston (IAH > MTJ) | | Daily | Dec 19 – Mar 30, June 18 – Sept 3 |
| Los Angeles (LAX > MTJ) | | Daily Holiday; Saturdays & Sundays weekly | Dec 14 – Mar 30 |
| Los Angeles-Orange County (SNA > MTJ) |  | 5x weekly | Dec 19 – Apr 6 |
| New York (EWR > MTJ) | | 4-7x weekly | Dec 19 – Mar 30 |
| New York (LGA > MTJ) | | Saturdays | Dec 17 – Apr 2 |
| San Francisco (SFO > MTJ) | | Daily Holiday; Saturdays & Sundays weekly | Dec 19 – Mar 30 |
Pro Tip: Sign up for Montrose Flight Deals at montroseflyer.com!
City demographics of Montrose, CO
The City of Montrose is a pro-business, fiscally conservative city, with many millions of dollars in reserve and a AAA Bond Rating. The sales tax catchment area is over 100,000 people while it provides services to just over 40,000 people.
5,794 ft
elevation
300 miles
from Denver and Salt Lake City
44,949
population in Montrose County
5.0%
population growth since 2020
Swipe to see more data in the table.
| DEMOGRAPHIC DATA | City | County |
|---|---|---|
| Number of households | 9,714 | 18,964 |
| Owner-occupied housing rate | 66.5% | 72.5% |
| Median home value | $358,552 | $372,199 |
| Median household income | $67,508 | $70,134 |
| Bachelor degree or higher, 25+ | 33.5% | 30.7% |
| Total employees | 11,325 | 14,869 |
| Average commute time | 11.8 min | 14.4 min |
Demographic information from REGIS Online, 2025.
Cost of living comparison
In this cost of living index, 100 is the U.S. average.
Less than 100 is cheaper than the U.S. average, while greater than 100 is more expensive than the U.S. average.
Swipe to see more data in the table.
| Boulder, CO | Denver, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Phoenix, AZ | Portland, OR | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA | Montrose, CO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overall (Homeowner, no child care, taxes not included) | 169.0 | 133.0 | 122.0 | 106.0 | 138.0 | 180.0 | 237.0 | 95.4 |
| Food & groceries | 104.0 | 106.0 | 100.0 | 104.0 | 111.0 | 116.0 | 123.0 | 101.9 |
| Housing (Homeowner) | 329.0 | 206.0 | 164.0 | 130.0 | 208.0 | 324.0 | 500.0 | 114.1 |
| Median home cost (2025) | $1,001,240 | $558,705 | $571,928 | $418,453 | $546,302 | $886,741 | $1,295,237 | $358,552 |
| Utilities | 88.0 | 85.0 | 94.0 | 99.0 | 96.0 | 102.0 | 136.0 | 99.9 |
| Transportation | 109.0 | 104.0 | 110.0 | 102.0 | 126.0 | 128.0 | 132.0 | 69.5 |
| Health | 89.0 | 99.0 | 96.0 | 94.0 | 110.0 | 138.0 | 125.0 | 80.6 |
