Glendale AZ 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)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
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
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Glendale +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Glendale +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Glendale
72.7%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Glendale +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 156,309 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.0 | Glendale + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 8.5% | Glendale + |
| White | 72.7% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 3.4% | 1.4% | Glendale + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 4.1% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Lakewood
$85,789
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Lakewood
9.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $85,789 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.5% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 9.1% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 45.3% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $575,076 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 58.1% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Glendale +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Glendale +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 512 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3234 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.7% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Glendale +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 28.6 min | Glendale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,630. On public safety, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, 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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