Trying to make a Boulder or Broomfield work commute easier without paying Boulder or Broomfield rents? That is exactly why so many renters look at Longmont. You want a place that saves time, fits your budget, and still gives you practical access to the US-36 corridor. This guide breaks down which parts of Longmont best support that goal, what rental types you are most likely to find, and how to search smarter. Let’s dive in.
Why the US-36 commute starts in Longmont
If you rent in Longmont and work along the US-36 corridor, your commute usually starts with a local connection. In most cases, that means getting from your apartment or townhome to CO 119, also called the Diagonal Highway, and then connecting into Boulder and the broader US-36 network.
That first leg matters more than many renters expect. A home that saves you a few minutes getting to CO 119 can make your daily routine feel much smoother, especially if you commute several days a week. In Longmont, commute-friendly rentals are often the ones that shorten that first-mile trip.
It is also important to know that this corridor is changing. According to CDOT, the CO 119 Safety, Mobility & Bikeway project is scheduled through spring 2027 and may bring temporary traffic impacts during construction. CDOT also says the completed project is intended to make bus travel on the corridor about half as long as it is now, so the best commute setup today may look a little different in the near future.
Best Longmont areas for commuters
Downtown Longmont and Coffman Street
If commute convenience is your top priority, downtown Longmont is one of the strongest places to start. The city says the Coffman Street corridor from 1st Avenue to 9th Avenue is being improved as a multimodal route, and the 1st & Main area is planned to support future BRT service to Boulder.
That matters because downtown and central Longmont are becoming the spine of the city’s transit system. If you want easier access to bus connections, more walkable daily errands, and a location built around future regional mobility, this area checks a lot of boxes.
1st and Main area
The 1st & Main area deserves its own look because it is central to Longmont’s transit planning. The city’s plan includes a bus station, parking garage, hundreds of apartment units, and a mixed-use building that supports future BRT connections.
For renters, that points to a practical advantage. If you want to live near a growing transportation hub rather than farther from it, this is one of the clearest submarkets to watch.
Central Longmont near park-and-rides
Central Longmont works well if you want flexibility. RTD says the 8th/Coffman Park-n-Ride serves BOLT, LD1, LD3, LX2, and local routes 323, 324, 326, and 327, while the Longmont Park-n-Ride on South Main serves LD1 and LX2.
This can simplify your routine if you like combining driving and transit. Instead of committing to a full drive every day, you can focus your apartment search around a reliable park-and-ride option and keep more commute choices open.
South and southwest Longmont
If you expect to drive most days, south and southwest Longmont are often a practical fit. Based on city planning maps and the locations of major transit projects, these areas sit closer to Longmont’s southbound transportation spine.
That does not mean they are always the fastest from every address. It does mean they can be a smart starting point for renters who want easier access to the southbound route out of the city while still staying in Longmont.
East and southeast Longmont
East and southeast Longmont can also work well, especially if you want parking-oriented access points. RTD’s US287/Niwot Park-n-Ride offers free parking and serves LD1, LD3, and LX2.
That setup may appeal to renters who do not need a downtown-style location. If you want a place where car access and transit backup both matter, this part of Longmont can be worth a close look.
North and northwest Longmont
North and northwest Longmont are usually less direct for CO 119-based commuting. These areas may offer a different balance, with more varied housing forms and potentially more space, but often with less direct access to the corridor spine.
That does not make them a bad choice. It just means they may fit renters who care a bit less about commute simplicity and more about unit style, layout, or newer outer-area development.
Rental types you are likely to find
Downtown infill apartments
Downtown and central Longmont are the strongest candidates for apartment-heavy and mixed-use living. City development review shows active projects like apartments on Coffman Street, a large apartment project at 301 1st Avenue, and additional apartment buildings on 9th Avenue.
For you, this usually means more chances to find apartments in walkable, centrally located settings. These communities may be especially appealing if you want a simpler routine built around transit access and nearby daily needs.
Larger multifamily in southwest and west-central Longmont
In southwest and west-central Longmont, the rental mix tends to include larger multifamily communities with more parking. A current city filing for 800 S Hover Street describes a five-story multifamily project with 261 apartment units and 403 parking spaces.
That kind of product often fits renters who expect to drive regularly and want a newer community with stronger parking availability. If your commute relies more on your car than on walking to a transit stop, this style of community may feel easier day to day.
Townhome-style and mixed-format rentals farther out
Farther from the center, Longmont’s development pattern becomes more mixed. City planning documents for the northwest gateway area show a blend of detached homes, duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and multifamily buildings.
That gives you more variety, but not always the most transit-oriented layout. If you want a townhome feel or a less apartment-heavy setting, these areas may offer options, though your commute may be less streamlined.
Longmont rents compared with Boulder and Broomfield
Price is a big reason commuters look at Longmont in the first place. Zillow’s market snapshot, updated May 5, 2026, shows Longmont averaging about $1,900 in rent across all bedroom counts and property types, compared with $2,500 in Boulder and $2,550 in Broomfield.
That gap is meaningful. You may be able to lower your monthly rent while still staying connected to major job centers along the corridor.
Of course, average rent does not tell the whole story. Your actual options will depend on the unit type you want, how close you want to be to a commute node, and whether you prefer amenities, parking, or location first.
How to search smarter for a US-36 commute
A lot of renters start with price or square footage. For this commute, it usually makes more sense to start with the transportation node that fits your routine best.
Once you know your likely commute pattern, you can compare rentals inside that zone. That approach often saves time and helps you avoid falling in love with a listing that looks great online but adds too much friction to your weekdays.
Step 1: Pick your commute style
Start by deciding how you actually want to travel most days:
- Mostly drive: Focus on south, southwest, east, or southeast Longmont
- Drive plus transit: Look near 8th/Coffman, South Main, or US287/Niwot park-and-ride options
- Transit-oriented routine: Start with downtown, Coffman Street, and the 1st & Main area
Your best rental match depends on this choice. A great apartment for a driver may not be the best apartment for someone who wants to use transit several times a week.
Step 2: Choose your tradeoff
Most renters are balancing three things:
- Lower rent
- Easier commute
- Newer amenities or more space
Longmont lets you mix those priorities better than many nearby markets, but you still may need to rank them. If commute simplicity comes first, central locations often deserve extra attention.
Step 3: Keep construction in mind
Because the CO 119 corridor is under active improvement through spring 2027, commute patterns may shift during construction. Temporary traffic pacing and other impacts can affect what feels easiest right now.
That is why it helps to think beyond today’s route. A rental near the city’s transit spine may age well as the corridor improvements move closer to completion.
A simple way to narrow your shortlist
If you want a faster screening process, use this framework when comparing Longmont rentals:
| Priority | Best starting areas | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Transit access | Downtown, Coffman Street, 1st & Main, central Longmont | More apartment-heavy options and stronger ties to transit planning |
| Drive-and-ride flexibility | Central Longmont, South Main, east or southeast Longmont | Easier access to park-and-rides and multiple route options |
| Car-focused convenience | South and southwest Longmont | Stronger parking orientation and easier southbound positioning |
| More space or varied housing type | North and northwest Longmont | More mixed housing forms, often with a less direct corridor connection |
What this means for your apartment search
If your goal is to simplify the US-36 commute, the best Longmont rental is not just the cheapest or newest one. It is the one that matches how you plan to move through the corridor every week.
For some renters, that means a downtown apartment near Coffman Street or 1st & Main. For others, it means a larger community in southwest Longmont with easier parking and a faster drive to the southbound route.
The good news is that Longmont gives you real choices. You can often spend less than you would in Boulder or Broomfield while still staying connected to the places you need to reach most.
If you want help sorting through commute-friendly apartments, townhomes, or other rentals in Longmont, Premium Apartment Locators offers a free, personalized apartment search to help you narrow down the right fit faster.
FAQs
Which part of Longmont is best for a Boulder commute?
- Downtown, Coffman Street, the 1st & Main area, and central Longmont are often the best starting points because they connect more naturally to Longmont’s transit spine and the CO 119 corridor.
Are Longmont rentals cheaper than Boulder rentals?
- Based on Zillow’s May 5, 2026 market snapshot, Longmont averages about $1,900 in rent across all property types, compared with about $2,500 in Boulder.
Can you commute from Longmont to the US-36 corridor using transit?
- Yes. RTD says Longmont includes park-and-ride options and route connections such as BOLT, LD1, LD3, and LX2, while the Flatiron Flyer serves the broader US-36 corridor between Denver and Boulder.
Is downtown Longmont a good place to rent for commuters?
- Yes. City planning documents identify Coffman Street and 1st & Main as key parts of Longmont’s future transit system, making downtown one of the clearest commute-oriented rental areas.
Should renters avoid Longmont because of CO 119 construction?
- Not necessarily. CDOT says corridor improvements are scheduled through spring 2027, so current traffic conditions may be temporary. It is smart to factor near-term construction into your search while also considering the long-term transportation improvements underway.
