City comparison
Lakewood, CO versus Denver, CO is a real move, not a trivia matchup. This comparison uses the same 2026 neighborhood report data we publish on each city page — typical rent, median household income, crime indexes, school composites, and typical weather — so you can see which city actually fits how you live, work, and spend. Typical rents sit near $1,806 a month in Lakewood and $1,831 in Denver, and median household income lands at $89,792 versus $94,718. Open either city's full report when you want the block-level detail behind these headlines.
Lakewood takes affordability and weather, while Denver takes job market. The widest gap is typical weather, where Lakewood leads by 6% — the kind of spread you feel in a monthly budget or a nightly walk, not just on a chart. Read the category rows as a filter: if cheaper housing would change your life more than a stronger job market, weight rent first. If you are moving with kids, weight schools and crime. If you picked a city after one good weekend, use the weather and income rows to test whether that weekend survives a full year.
Numbers below are citywide, not a guarantee about the street you will actually live on. Two ZIP codes in Lakewood can feel further apart than Lakewood and Denver do on paper. Use this page to pick a city, then use the Lakewood and Denver reports to pick a neighborhood — and visit in the season you like least before you sign anything.
Lakewood, CO
Denver, CO
Rent
1% cheaper
Lakewood rent is 1% cheaper than Denver
Lakewood
Winner$1,806/mo
Denver
$1,831/mo
Typical rent runs $1,806 a month in Lakewood versus $1,831 in Denver, so Lakewood is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $25, or $300 a year — noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Median income
5% higher
Denver's median income is 5% higher than Lakewood
Lakewood
$89,792
Denver
Winner$94,718
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $89,792 in Lakewood, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Denver — about $4,926 more household income a year. The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
Neck and neck
Lakewood and Denver are about even on crime index.
Lakewood
137 (100 = avg)
Denver
137 (100 = avg)
Lakewood and Denver post similar crime indexes (137 vs 137, where 100 is the national average). A small gap at the city level can still hide a huge neighborhood spread. Walk the specific block, check lighting and late-night activity, and use each city's full report for violent vs. property crime instead of stopping at the headline index.
School scores
Neck and neck
Lakewood and Denver are about even on school scores.
Lakewood
A- · 84/100
Denver
A- · 84/100
School composites are effectively even (A- in Lakewood, A- in Denver). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better — at this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.
Typical weather
6% more comfortable
Lakewood weather is 6% more comfortable than Denver
Lakewood
Winner76°F typical
Denver
78°F typical
Lakewood scores 6% more comfortable on this page's weather index, which rewards temperatures closer to a livable outdoor day. Typical temperatures sit around 76°F in Lakewood and 78°F in Denver. Lakewood reads as warm weather most of the year; Denver reads as warm weather most of the year. The comfort edge is real but not a personality transplant. If you already know you want Denver's season, a modest index lead should not talk you out of it. If you are undecided, Lakewood is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Lakewood is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 1% cheaper here at about $1,806 a month. Choose Lakewood if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Lakewood if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (76°F) beat Denver on this page's weather index by 6%. Denver may pay more or cost less, but Lakewood is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 5% higher here ($94,718). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
If weather is your priority, Lakewood is the clear choice.
If the job market matters more to you, Denver pulls ahead.
For most movers comparing these two cities, Lakewood offers the better overall package.
Common questions
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