Lakewood CO vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Scottsdale
2.0%
Scottsdale +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 49.2 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 76.0% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 9.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $858,307 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Scottsdale
26.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 26.2% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.4% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 72.5°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, 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%.
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