Lakewood CO vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Salinas
1.4%
Salinas +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 76.0% | 21.8% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.4% | Salinas + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $28,813 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 14.2% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 15.5% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $751,711 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 47.0% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 32.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.4% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.2% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.9% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 57.3°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 28.8 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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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