Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Lakewood
76.0%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Lakewood
1.4%
Lakewood +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 156,309 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.0 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 83.6% | 76.0% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.4% | Lakewood + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.5% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 45.3% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $575,076 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 58.1% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 512 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 3234 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lakewood
23.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lakewood
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Lakewood
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Lakewood
10.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 51.4°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 28.6 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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