Lakewood CO vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 76.0% | 39.1% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 11.6% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 14.5% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $580,173 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 41.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
Lakewood +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 24.6% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 24.0% | Lakewood + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 32.8 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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%.
Compare More Cities
Lakewood, CO vs New York, NYLakewood, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lakewood, COHouston, TX vs Lakewood, COLakewood, CO vs Phoenix, AZLakewood, CO vs Philadelphia, PA