Lakewood CO vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 76.0% | 61.6% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 10.5% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Minneapolis
$80,269
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Minneapolis
$50,605
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $80,269 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $50,605 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,467 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 16.4% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 48.0% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Minneapolis
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Lakewood +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 28.6% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.1% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 19.8% | Lakewood + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 30.6 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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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