Lakewood CO vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 76.0% | 53.7% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.9% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $77,041 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $40,309 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.1% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 14.3% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 32.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 57.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 32.3% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.8% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.2% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 17.3% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.2% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 72.1°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 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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