Lakewood CO vs Manchester NH — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 115,415 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.9 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.0% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 1.4% | 5.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 13.5% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Manchester
$77,415
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Manchester
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Manchester
10.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $77,415 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $44,220 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $75,331 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 33.5% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $441,257 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 49.3% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 35.0% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.4% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.4% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.9% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 44.6 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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