Lakewood CO vs San Marcos TX — 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
San Marcos
4.3%
San Marcos +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 99,507 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 5.8% | Lakewood + |
| White | 76.0% | 66.6% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 4.3% | San Marcos + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.4% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $64,146 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $33,835 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 11.9% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 24.9% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
San Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
San Marcos
19.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 33.6% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 22.3% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 19.7% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 19.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.0% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
San Marcos
35.7 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 68.5°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 35.7 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. San Marcos 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%.
Compare More Cities
Lakewood, CO vs New York, NYLakewood, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lakewood, COHouston, TX vs Lakewood, COLakewood, CO vs Phoenix, AZLakewood, CO vs Philadelphia, PA