Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 156,309 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 38.0 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 8.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 28.8% | 1.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Lakewood
$51,218
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $51,218 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $575,076 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 512 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3234 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 28.6 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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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