Lakewood CO vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 135,806 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.2 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 76.0% | 49.1% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.9% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 9.5% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $708,498 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 47.5% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 25.5% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.3% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 52.3°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 53.2 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 30.1 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 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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