City Comparison
Colorado Springs vs Lakewood
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Colorado Springs scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Colorado Springs
Lakewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Colorado Springs is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Lakewood.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Lakewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,795 | -3% |
| Groceries | $420 | $410 | +2% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $130 | $115 | +13% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,710 | $2,730 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lakewood offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Colorado Springs delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Colorado Springs is estimated at
$58,000 vs $60,000 in Lakewood.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,297 idx | 67,925 idx |
| Household Income | $84,818 | $89,792 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lakewood runs warmer on average — a 51.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lakewood comes out ahead with 277 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lakewood sees 29.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 51.50°F |
| Summer High | °F | 84.90°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 19.30°F |
| Rainfall | in | 18.40 in |
| Snowfall | in | 29.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 277 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 52.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 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 | Colorado Springs | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 54.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Colorado Springs is the larger city
— approximately 3.2x the population of Lakewood.
From a growth perspective, Colorado Springs is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 494,743 | 156,927 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.57% | 0.18% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Colorado Springs
Advantages
Median home value remains more accessible than Denver metro counterparts per Zillow 2026 data
Unemployment rate sits at a healthy 4.1% matching competitive national benchmarks per BLS
Unmatched proximity to iconic outdoor recreation including Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods
Robust local economy driven by aerospace, defense technology, and high-tech sectors
Average monthly earnings outpace national averages per recent BLS occupational wage reports
Drawbacks
High elevation and dry climate require adjustment periods for new residents
Significant car dependency across sprawling suburban neighborhoods limits transit utility
Property crime rates in certain central urban pockets remain above national medians
Rapid historical growth has strained local infrastructure and traffic capacity on I-25
Home prices and rents have escalated significantly compared to pre-2020 affordability levels
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.
Colorado Springs
#307Colorado, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
101
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.57%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
80
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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