Lakewood CO vs Nashville TN — 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%
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Nashville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Nashville
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Nashville
N/A
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Nashville
N/A
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Nashville
N/A
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Nashville
N/A
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Nashville
N/A
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Nashville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Nashville, TN | 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
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Nashville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Nashville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Nashville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Nashville, TN | 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 | $59,097 | 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
Nashville
$436,355
Nashville +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $436,355 | Nashville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Lakewood +
Nashville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Nashville
2350
Nashville +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 639 | Lakewood + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2350 | Nashville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Nashville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Nashville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Nashville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Nashville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Nashville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Nashville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Nashville
47.9 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 47.9 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Nashville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Nashville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $436,355. On public safety, Lakewood is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Nashville. Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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