Lakewood CO vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 76.0% | 63.5% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $78,448 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $45,180 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $62,696 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.0% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 12.5% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 35.7% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 49.4% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2417 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 28.4% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.5% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 18.9% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.8% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 53.0°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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