City Comparison
Denver vs Lakewood
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Denver scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Denver
Lakewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lakewood is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Denver.
Housing costs are a major driver: Denver's average rent is
10% higher than Lakewood's.
| Metric | Denver | Lakewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,975 | $1,795 | +10% |
| Groceries | $400 | $410 | -2% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $90 | $115 | -22% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,865 | $2,730 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 106 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Denver offers 13% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Denver delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Denver is estimated at
$65,000 vs $60,000 in Lakewood.
| Metric | Denver | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $81,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,415 idx | 67,925 idx |
| Household Income | $94,718 | $89,792 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.7°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Lakewood sees 6.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Denver | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | 51.50°F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | 84.90°F |
| Winter Low | 19.40°F | 19.30°F |
| Rainfall | 16.90 in | 18.40 in |
| Snowfall | 22.70 in | 29.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | 277 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 52.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Denver scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Denver leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Denver | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 54.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Denver is the larger city
— approximately 4.7x the population of Lakewood.
From a growth perspective, Denver 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 | Denver | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 740,613 | 156,927 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.18% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Denver
Advantages
Median household income stands at $94,718, significantly outpacing the national average per U.S. Census data.
Enjoyment of approximately 285 sunny days per year, supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Proximity to world-class Rocky Mountain recreation, including premier skiing, hiking, and biking destinations.
Thriving job market with strong sectors in aerospace, technology, and healthcare offering competitive wages.
Vibrant cultural and entertainment ecosystem highlighted by the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre and a thriving craft beverage scene.
Drawbacks
Cost of living runs roughly 6% higher than the national average, led by steep housing and rental expenses.
Median home values of $616,000 present substantial barriers to entry for first-time homebuyers.
Frequent traffic congestion along major commuter corridors like I-25 and I-70 during peak hours.
Air quality can occasionally be impacted by regional wildfire smoke and temperature inversions in the mountain basin.
Property crime rates in certain dense urban neighborhoods require standard metropolitan vigilance.
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.
Denver
#356Colorado, USA
59.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,975
Avg Salary
$81,000
Cost Index
106
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
82
Business
75
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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