Lakewood CO vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Sunnyvale +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 153,455 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 76.0% | 30.4% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 16.7% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $2,144,024 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 43.8% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Sunnyvale
503
Sunnyvale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Sunnyvale
2388
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Sunnyvale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Sunnyvale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | 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 +
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Sunnyvale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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