Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Houston
35.5%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Lakewood
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 156,309 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.0 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 8.5% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 22.9% | 1.4% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.1% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 22.4% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $575,076 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 28.6 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston 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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