Lakewood CO vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Lakewood +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 94,723 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 76.0% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 1.4% | 0.8% | Lakewood + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.5% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 11.3% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $50,592 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $60,713 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $672,082 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 28.5% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.5% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sandy, 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
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, 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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