Lakewood CO vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 76.0% | 36.1% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 15.2% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $60,698 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $37,669 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,080 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.4% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 22.0% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 34.6% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 52.3% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 57.1°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 48.5 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 34.5 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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