Lakewood CO vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 76.0% | 70.5% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 20.8% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $74,925 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $49,642 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $60,713 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 13.4% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $580,126 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 46.8% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 29.5% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.2% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.3% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 52.8°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, 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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