Lakewood CO vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.4 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 6.6% | Lakewood + |
| White | 76.0% | 31.6% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.8% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 7.9% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
New Orleans
41.9%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $55,339 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $39,698 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $55,297 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.8% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 22.6% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 41.9% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 50.5% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Lakewood +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
New Orleans
2824
New Orleans +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 643 | Lakewood + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2824 | New Orleans + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
New Orleans
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
New Orleans
19.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 34.0% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.1% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 19.4% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 19.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 15.5% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 66.6 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Orleans, LA | 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
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Lakewood is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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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