Lakewood CO vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 76.0% | 61.8% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 8.2% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,120 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 9.9% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $871,599 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 44.3% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Lakewood +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3409 | Lakewood + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 52.6°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 37.5 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 28.8 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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