Lakewood CO vs Medford OR — 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%
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Medford
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Medford
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Medford
N/A
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Medford
N/A
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Medford
N/A
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Medford
N/A
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Medford
N/A
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Medford
N/A
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 76.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Medford
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Medford
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Medford
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,691 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Medford
$410,269
Medford +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $410,269 | Medford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Medford
355
Medford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Medford
3001
Medford +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 355 | Medford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3001 | Medford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Medford
33.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Medford
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Medford
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Medford
10.4%
Medford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Medford
15.2%
Medford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Medford
13.6%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 33.0% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.9% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 19.1% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.4% | Medford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.2% | Medford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.6% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Medford
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Medford
18.4 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 55.6°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 18.4 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
Medford
55.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Medford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $410,269. On public safety, Medford is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. 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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