Lakewood CO vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 91,535 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 42.9 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 76.0% | 66.9% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 16.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.1% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 11.6% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $865,610 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 28.8% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Santa Ana
503
Santa Ana +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Santa Ana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 29.0% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 13.0% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 18.7% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 20.7% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.6% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 65.6°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Santa Ana 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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