Lakewood CDP, NJ: The 2026 Relocation Deep Dive

1. Lakewood CDP: The Data Profile (2026)

Lakewood CDP presents a complex economic paradox for the 2026 post-remote workforce. With a population of 67,764, it functions as a dense suburban hub rather than a major metropolis. The primary statistical friction point is the income-to-cost ratio: the median income of $70,483 trails the national median by 5.5%, yet the cost of living index is heavily inflated, driven largely by a housing market sitting 49.3% above the national average.

Target Demographic: The data suggests Lakewood is statistically viable for two distinct groups. First, existing homeowners with fixed housing costs who can weather the 30.0% premium on healthcare and transportation. Second, remote workers earning significantly above the local median (targeting $120,000+) who can offset the 149.3 housing index with coastal salaries. It is a high-risk environment for entry-level wage earners.

2. Cost of Living Analysis

The cost of living in Lakewood is aggressive. While groceries and transportation hover at 109.5 (roughly 9.5% above average), the true budget destroyers are energy and discretionary spending. Electricity costs are a massive outlier at 19.34 cents/kWh, which is 20.9% higher than the US average of 16.0 cents/kWh. This suggests that climate control expenses will be a recurring pain point.

Table 1: Monthly Budget Breakdown (2026 Estimates)

Disposable Income Analysis:
A single earner making the median income ($70,483 / $4,380 monthly after tax) faces a deficit of roughly $615 per month if relying on average spending habits. To maintain a standard of living equivalent to the national average, a household needs to suppress spending in the "Restaurants" and "Transportation" categories, which carry a 30.0% and 9.5% premium respectively.

3. Housing Market Deep Dive

The housing market is the defining economic feature of Lakewood. The 149.3 Housing Index indicates a seller's market that is significantly decoupled from local wages. The disparity between the median income ($70,483) and a median home price of $565,000 creates a price-to-income ratio of roughly 8.0x, which is severely unaffordable by standard metrics.

Table 2: Housing Market Data (Buying vs Renting)

Buy vs. Rent Analysis:
Relative to the national curve, renting is the more logical financial decision for 2026 arrivals. The 49.3% housing cost premium makes purchasing a home speculative unless you have substantial liquid assets. The monthly rent on a 1BR ($1,850) is roughly $700 cheaper than the monthly mortgage payment (principal + interest + taxes/insurance) on a median home, assuming a 6.5% interest rate. Renting preserves capital mobility in a market where values are inflated 46.7% above the US median.

4. Economic & Job Market Outlook

The labor market in Lakewood shows signs of stress in the 2026 post-remote landscape. The unemployment rate sits at 5.4%, which is 35.0% higher than the national average of 4.0%. This suggests that the local economy has not fully absorbed the shift away from commuting, nor has it generated enough high-paying remote roles to replace traditional industry.

RTO & Commute Impact:
For those required to commute to major hubs (e.g., NYC or Philadelphia), the transportation index of 109.5 is a conservative estimate. The true cost includes the "time tax" of traffic. However, the post-remote reality means that 5.4% unemployment is likely driven by a mismatch in skills rather than a lack of jobs. The local industry appears stable but low-yield, favoring service sectors over tech or finance.

5. Quality of Life Audit

Lakewood scores an aggregate Health Score of 78.4/100, which is "Good" on paper. However, the underlying risk factors are concerning. The obesity rate is 33.5%, exceeding the US average of 31.9%, while the smoking rate is 18.3%, a staggering 30.7% higher than the national average. These factors suggest a population with elevated long-term health risks despite access to healthcare (index 130.0).

Table 3: Quality of Life Metrics

Safety & Environment:

• Air Quality: Lakewood excels here. An AQI of 48 and PM2.5 of 6.8 µg/m³ are significantly cleaner than the US norm, offering a respiratory benefit.
• Crime: While specific violent crime per 100k wasn't provided, the high density (67,764 in a CDP) typically correlates with higher property crime rates than rural areas.
• Weather: Currently 54.0°F with a low of 31°F, the climate requires a robust winter wardrobe and heating budget (impacting that 19.34 cents/kWh electricity bill).
• Schools: The high cost of living usually correlates with strong school funding, though specific test scores were not provided in the dataset.

6. The Verdict

Pros:

• Air Quality: Excellent AQI (48) and PM2.5 levels (6.8 µg/m³) provide a genuine health benefit.
• Healthcare Access: A 130.0 index indicates strong availability of medical services, though expensive.
• Diabetes Rates: Lower than average at 8.4%, suggesting effective management or lifestyle factors in that specific metric.

Cons:

• Housing Affordability: A 149.3 Housing Index is unsustainable for the median income of $70,483.
• High Unemployment: At 5.4%, the job market is tighter than the national average.
• Lifestyle Health Risks: High obesity (33.5%) and smoking (18.3%) rates suggest a challenging environment for maintaining healthy habits.

Final Recommendation:
Proceed with Extreme Caution. Lakewood CDP is not recommended for single-income households earning the median ($70,483) or less. The math does not work. It is viable only for dual-income households earning above $110,000 combined, or remote workers with coastal salaries. The high cost of living is not offset by corresponding wage growth, making this a "prestige" or "necessity" purchase rather than a value play.

7. FAQs

1. What salary is needed to live comfortably in Lakewood CDP in 2026?
For a single person, you need a gross salary of at least $95,000 to cover the $3,765 estimated monthly budget and maintain a healthy savings rate. For a family, a combined income of $160,000 is the minimum threshold to avoid being "house poor."

2. How does the value proposition compare to other cities?
Lakewood offers poor value compared to the national average. You are paying a 49.3% premium on housing and 30.0% on healthcare/restaurants, but earning 5.5% less than the national median. There are better economic opportunities in cities with a lower Cost of Living Index.

3. Is Lakewood safe?
While the dataset did not provide specific crime per 100k stats, the high population density and economic stress indicators (unemployment 5.4%, high cost of living) suggest that property crime is a concern. Standard urban precautions are necessary.

4. When is the best time to move?
Given the current weather of 54.0°F and upcoming lows of 31°F, moving in late Spring (April/May) is ideal to avoid high heating costs and snowy travel conditions. Additionally, monitor the unemployment rate; if it drops below 4.5%, the local economy may be stabilizing, making a move less risky.