Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 156,309 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.0 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 11.7% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 76.8% | 1.4% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $575,076 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 512 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3234 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 19.7% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 51.4°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 28.6 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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