Lakewood CO vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 68,505 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 76.0% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 1.4% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.2% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 3.1% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $76,174 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,587 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 11.3% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Portland
$561,069
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $561,069 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 46.7% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Portland
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 27.7% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 17.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.1% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 47.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $561,069. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
Compare More Cities
Lakewood, CO vs New York, NYLakewood, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lakewood, COHouston, TX vs Lakewood, COLakewood, CO vs Phoenix, AZLakewood, CO vs Philadelphia, PA