Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 156,309 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.0 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 8.5% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 34.1% | 1.4% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 4.1% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 45.3% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $575,076 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.7% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 28.6 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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