El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Lakewood
22.4%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 156,309 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.0 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 8.5% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 3.6% | 1.4% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 22.4% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $575,076 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 58.1% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.7% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 17.3 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.6 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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