Lakewood CO vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Palmdale
69.3%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 44,998 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 57.8 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 76.0% | 69.3% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 5.4% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Palmdale
$71,979
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Palmdale
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
Palmdale
45.1%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $71,979 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.2% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 13.7% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 45.1% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $503,393 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Palmdale
503
Palmdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Palmdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Palmdale
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Palmdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Palmdale
13.1%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 30.3% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.8% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.6% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.7% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.1% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 63.5°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Palmdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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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