Lakewood CO vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 76.0% | 61.6% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 8.9% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $47,372 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,581 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 40.4% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 36.5% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.8% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.7% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.1% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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