Atlanta GA vs Lakewood CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 156,309 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.0 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 8.5% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 46.9% | 1.4% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 4.1% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Lakewood
$51,218
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $51,218 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 45.3% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $575,076 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 512 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3234 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 19.7% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 28.6 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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