Lakewood CO vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 28,542 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 42.3 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 6.8% | Lakewood + |
| White | 76.0% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 1.4% | 3.1% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.0% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 4.7% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 10.3% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 57.5% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 38.6% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.3% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 19.2% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 16.9% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Schenectady, NY | 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 +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, 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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