Lakewood CO vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 26,509 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.7 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 7.1% | Lakewood + |
| White | 76.0% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 1.4% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 3.9% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Rochester
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,467 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 36.4% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.2% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.4% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 34.0 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 28.3 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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