Lakewood CO vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Santa Rosa +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 129,239 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 76.0% | 31.9% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 16.1% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $720,443 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 41.2% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Santa Rosa
503
Santa Rosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Santa Rosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 26.5% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.4% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.7% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.3% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 59.2°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 32.2 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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