City Comparison
Arvada vs Lakewood
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Arvada scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Arvada
Lakewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lakewood is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Arvada.
Housing costs are a major driver: Arvada's average rent is
17% higher than Lakewood's.
| Metric | Arvada | Lakewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,795 | +17% |
| Groceries | $440 | $410 | +7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $115 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,070 | $2,730 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Arvada offers 8% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Arvada delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Arvada is estimated at
$65,000 vs $60,000 in Lakewood.
| Metric | Arvada | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,585 idx | 67,925 idx |
| Household Income | $117,348 | $89,792 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Lakewood sees 4.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Arvada | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.90°F | 51.50°F |
| Summer High | 87.00°F | 84.90°F |
| Winter Low | 19.30°F | 19.30°F |
| Rainfall | 18.30 in | 18.40 in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | 29.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | 277 |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 52.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Lakewood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lakewood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Arvada | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 54.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lakewood is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Arvada.
From a growth perspective, Arvada is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Arvada has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Arvada | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,634 | 156,927 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.18% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Arvada
Advantages
Median household income of $117,348 is significantly higher than the national average
Direct commuter rail connection (G Line) to downtown Denver from Olde Town
Low violent crime rate and highly secure family-oriented neighborhoods
Over 285 sunny days per year supporting an active, outdoor-centric lifestyle
Thriving historic downtown district with local craft breweries, dining, and boutiques
Drawbacks
Median home values exceeding $550,000 create high barriers to entry for first-time buyers
Car-dependent urban design outside of the Olde Town core
Higher-than-average cost of living running roughly 6% above national baselines
Commuter traffic congestion heading into the core Denver metropolitan area during peak hours
Tight housing inventory constraining options for renters and prospective buyers
Lakewood
Advantages
Median household income stands at $89,792, reflecting a strong local economy that outperforms the national average per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional geographic proximity to the Rocky Mountain foothills and Red Rocks Amphitheatre provides unmatched outdoor recreation access.
The RTD W Line light rail system offers fast, direct commuter rail transit into downtown Denver.
Home to major economic anchors like the Denver Federal Center and St. Anthony Level I Trauma Center.
Abundant green spaces featuring over 80 public parks and extensive multi-use trail networks.
Drawbacks
Typical monthly apartment rents average around $1,800, placing financial pressure on lower-income renters.
Property crime rates remain a challenge, reflecting broader metropolitan trends across the Denver area.
Car dependency is high in outer residential neighborhoods despite light rail availability along central corridors.
Traffic congestion peaks heavily along major commuter arteries like U.S. 6 and Interstate 70 during rush hours.
Housing affordability has tightened significantly due to intense regional population growth and high real estate demand.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Arvada
#201Colorado, USA
63.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
106
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
52.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
81
Business
72
Lakewood
#372Colorado, USA
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,795
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
106
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
54.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
277/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.18%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
80
Business
72
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