Lakewood CO vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 76.0% | 36.5% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 20.7% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $51,888 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $29,679 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,837 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 23.3% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 26.6% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 41.5% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 41.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 19.1% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.1% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 17.3% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
35.5 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 35.5 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 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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