Lakewood CO vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 76.0% | 16.5% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.9% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $48,416 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $25,509 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 10.9% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 24.7% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 17.4% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $482,675 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 24.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 35.9% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.6% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 20.0% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 23.4% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 18.2% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 54.9°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 46.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 35.9 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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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