Lakewood CO vs New Braunfels TX — 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%
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
8.2%
White
Lakewood
76.0%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
15.7%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 267 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 39.4 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 8.2% | Lakewood + |
| White | 76.0% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 1.4% | 0.0% | Lakewood + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 0.0% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 15.7% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
$74,643
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $74,643 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $21,360 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 1.8% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $352,129 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
New Braunfels
19.1%
New Braunfels +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
11.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 34.6% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.0% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.2% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 19.1% | New Braunfels + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.0% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
34.0 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 67.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 34.0 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
New Braunfels
55.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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