Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Lakewood
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 20.4% | 1.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.1% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 22.4% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $575,076 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 58.1% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 512 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 3234 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 28.6 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 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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