Irvine CA 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Irvine +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 156,309 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 38.0 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 8.5% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 2.0% | 1.4% | Irvine + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 4.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Lakewood
$85,789
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Lakewood
$51,218
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Lakewood
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $85,789 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $51,218 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 45.3% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $575,076 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Irvine +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Irvine +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Irvine + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Irvine + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Lakewood
23.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Lakewood
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Lakewood
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Lakewood
10.7%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 23.8% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.7% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 15.8% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 10.6% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 19.7% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.7% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 17.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 28.6 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Irvine is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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