Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 38.0 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 8.5% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.4% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 4.1% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Lakewood
$85,789
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Lakewood
$51,218
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Lakewood
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $85,789 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $51,218 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 45.3% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $575,076 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Berkeley +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Berkeley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Lakewood
23.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Lakewood
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Lakewood
10.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 23.8% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.7% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.6% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.7% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 10.7% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 28.6 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Berkeley is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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