Lakewood CO vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 76.0% | 63.7% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 4.2% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $64,137 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $43,590 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,080 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 19.5% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 47.2% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 51.8°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 39.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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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