Lakewood CO vs Pueblo CO — 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pueblo
111,514
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Pueblo
38.1
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Pueblo
70.3%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Pueblo
2.7%
Pueblo +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 111,514 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.1 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 4.0% | Lakewood + |
| White | 76.0% | 70.3% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.7% | Pueblo + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 0.8% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 48.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Pueblo
$55,305
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Pueblo
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Pueblo
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Pueblo
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
Pueblo
22.8%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $55,305 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $30,949 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 19.2% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 22.8% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $286,326 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 60.8% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Pueblo
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Pueblo
3234
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Pueblo
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Pueblo
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Pueblo
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Pueblo
15.6%
Pueblo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Pueblo
15.1%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 33.5% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 13.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.0% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 18.9% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.6% | Pueblo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 15.1% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Pueblo
53.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 53.7°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 13.0 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 21.1 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Pueblo is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Pueblo 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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