Cheyenne 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Cheyenne +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Lakewood
76.0%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Lakewood
1.4%
Lakewood +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.0 | Cheyenne + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 89.9% | 76.0% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 1.4% | Lakewood + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Lakewood
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $76,653 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.5% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $575,076 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 58.1% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 512 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 3234 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.7% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 51.4°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 17.3 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 28.6 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne 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%.
Compare More Cities
Cheyenne, WY vs New York, NYCheyenne, WY vs Los Angeles, CACheyenne, WY vs Chicago, ILCheyenne, WY vs Houston, TXCheyenne, WY vs Phoenix, AZCheyenne, WY vs Philadelphia, PA