Lakewood CO vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.6 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 76.0% | 70.1% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 11.3% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,691 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 12.8% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 52.8% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Portland
3001
Portland +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3001 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 28.5% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.9% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.3% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 51.6°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 78.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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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