Casper WY 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)
Casper, WY
Wyoming · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$308,116
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
76.0%
Black
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Casper, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 156,309 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 76.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 22.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
$85,789
Per Capita Income
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
$51,218
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Casper
$77,800
Casper +
Lakewood
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
9.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $85,789 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $51,218 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $76,653 | Casper + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 45.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Casper
$308,116
Casper +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $308,116 | $575,076 | Casper + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 58.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
222
Casper +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
1522
Casper +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Casper, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 512 | Casper + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 3234 | Casper + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
36.6%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.0%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Casper
16.9%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.8%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Casper
16.3%
Casper +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Casper
15.2%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Casper, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.6% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.7% | Casper + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
47.3°F
Casper +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
12.5 in
Casper +
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Casper, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3°F | 51.4°F | Casper + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.5 in | 17.3 in | Casper + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Casper
3.9 µg/m³
Casper +
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Casper
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Casper, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Casper + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Casper
N/A
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Casper, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Casper offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $308,116. On public safety, Casper is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Casper has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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