Lakewood, CO Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Lakewood, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Lakewood →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Lakewood counts roughly 156,149 residents, and the median household brings in $82,786 annually — +15% relative to the cities in our dataset, putting incomes here above the pack.
In Lakewood, the median home is valued at $494,100 — above the median across the cities we track (+51%) — and typical rent runs $1,665 a month. Factor in mortgage rates and property taxes when sizing up whether buying pencils out.
The ratio of median home value to median household income in Lakewood — roughly 6.0× — is on the high side, a sign that local pay hasn't kept pace with housing costs. Home prices around Lakewood have been essentially flat over the past year, up just 0.48%. Natural-hazard exposure in Lakewood is rated Relatively High by FEMA, on the elevated end — something to check with insurers before buying.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,665/mo in Lakewood would take 24.1% of your income.
$405/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($494,100) would take 38.2% of your income toward principal & interest.
$706/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Lakewood
Median home value is $494,100 and median gross rent is $1,665/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Jefferson rose 0.48% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $2,089/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Lakewood's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Lakewood reported a violent crime rate of 675.1 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Lakewood
Planning a move to Lakewood? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Lakewood, CO?
- Housing drives most of the cost-of-living picture in Lakewood — median home value of $494,100, median rent of $1,665/month — set against a median household income of $82,786 (US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Lakewood?
- At Lakewood's median rent of $1,665/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $66,600 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Lakewood.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Lakewood?
- Comparing the two in Lakewood: renting at the median $1,665/month needs about $66,600 in annual income (30% guideline), while buying the $494,100 median home needs roughly $113,048 a year in principal-and-interest, assuming 20% down and a 30-year fixed loan at current rates.
- Is Lakewood safe?
- The most recent FBI figures (2025) show a violent crime rate of 675.1 per 100,000 residents in Lakewood.
See the full salary breakdown for Lakewood →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Lakewood's.