Lakewood CO vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Overland Park
143,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Overland Park
36.6
Overland Park +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Overland Park
4.9%
Overland Park +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Overland Park
12.6%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 143,720 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 36.6 | Overland Park + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 10.7% | Overland Park + |
| White | 76.0% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 1.4% | 4.9% | Overland Park + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.2% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 12.6% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Overland Park
$48,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Overland Park
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $48,655 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,860 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 49.4% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Overland Park
$487,466
Overland Park +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $487,466 | Overland Park + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Overland Park
449
Overland Park +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Overland Park
2174
Overland Park +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 449 | Overland Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2174 | Overland Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Overland Park
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Overland Park
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Overland Park
16.9%
Overland Park +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 30.0% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.2% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.9% | Overland Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 22.4 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while overland Park offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,466. On public safety, Overland Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, 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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