Lakewood CO vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakewood
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Lakewood
8.5%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Lakewood
1.4%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Lakewood
22.4%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Lakewood
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 119,508 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 40.2 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 76.0% | 44.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 1.4% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.5% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
$44,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,789 | $69,261 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,218 | $44,508 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,328 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.4% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 14.8% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.3% | 37.6% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakewood
$575,076
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $575,076 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 50.2% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
512
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakewood
3234
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
19.7%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.8% | 29.1% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 13.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.8% | 16.4% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.9% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.0% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4°F | 75.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 62.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakewood
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakewood
28.6 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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