Deep Dive Relocation Report: Lakewood, CO (2026)

1. Lakewood: The Data Profile (2026)

Lakewood represents a distinct statistical outlier in the post-2024 remote work landscape. With a population of 155,973, it occupies a "Goldilocks" demographic zone—large enough to support robust infrastructure but small enough to avoid the congestion penalties of major metros. The primary driver for relocation here is the income-to-cost ratio. The median income sits at $83,987, which is 12.6% higher than the national median of $74,580, yet the cost of living remains manageable compared to coastal hubs.

The educational attainment rate is a critical economic stabilizer; 45.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, significantly outpacing the US average of 33.1%. This suggests a workforce insulated from low-wage volatility.

Statistical Target Demographic:
The ideal candidate is a dual-income professional household or a remote-first worker earning near the median. The 45.6% college-educated rate indicates a competitive environment for local white-collar roles, making this city ideal for those leveraging remote salaries to maximize purchasing power in a region with a 118.5 housing index.

2. Cost of Living Analysis

While Lakewood is not a "budget" city, it offers a high-value proposition relative to its amenities. The aggregate Cost of Living Index is 108.1, driven almost entirely by housing. However, utilities and groceries remain near parity with the national average.

Table 1: Monthly Budgets & Cost of Living Index (100 = US Avg)

Disposable Income Analysis:
Based on the median income of $83,987, a single earner takes home approximately $63,500 after taxes (est. 24% effective rate), or $5,291/month. With a single-person budget of roughly $2,795 (including housing), the disposable income rate is 47.2%. This is significantly higher than the national average of 32%, providing a strong buffer against inflation. The low electricity rate of 14.92¢/kWh (vs US 16.0¢) contributes to this stability, saving a typical household roughly $150/year compared to the average.

3. Housing Market Deep Dive

The housing market is the primary cost center. The Housing Index of 118.5 indicates an 18.5% premium over the national average. However, the gap between renting and buying is narrowing in 2026 due to stabilized interest rates.

Table 2: Housing Market Data (Buying vs Renting)

Buy vs. Rent Analysis:
To justify buying a median home ($585,000) with a 20% down payment ($117,000) and a 6.5% mortgage rate, the monthly payment exceeds $3,600. Comparing this to the 2-Bedroom rental price of $2,089/mo, the "buy premium" is roughly $1,500/month. In 2026, renting is statistically the smarter financial move for those with less than $150,000 in liquid assets, as the opportunity cost of capital exceeds the appreciation rate of Lakewood's 3.5% annualized growth.

4. Economic & Job Market Outlook

Lakewood’s economy is heavily influenced by its proximity to Denver and the "Hybrid-First" mandate of 2026. The unemployment rate is 3.9%, slightly better than the US average of 4.0%.

Commute & RTO Impact:
While 45.6% of the workforce is college-educated, many are "Super Commuters" to downtown Denver or tech hubs in Boulder. Average commute times have crept up to 28 minutes (one-way) due to RTO (Return to Office) mandates.

• Traffic Corridors: I-25 and US-6 remain high congestion zones during peak (07:00–09:00 and 16:00–18:00).
• Local Industry: Aerospace (Lockheed Martin) and healthcare (Centura Health) provide stability, insulating the local market from the volatility seen in pure tech sectors.

The 3.9% unemployment rate suggests a tight labor market, but the high percentage of degree holders (45.6%) means competition for the $83,987 median salary roles is stiff.

5. Quality of Life Audit

Lakewood scores exceptionally high on health metrics, likely due to the altitude (5,500ft) and outdoor culture. Air quality is pristine compared to industrial hubs.

Table 3: Quality of Life & Health Metrics

Safety Analysis:
Safety is a mixed bag. Violent Crime is 456/100k, which is 18.7% higher than the US average (380/100k). However, the Property Crime rate is the major outlier at 2,890/100k, a staggering 44.5% higher than the national average (2,000/100k). Residents must invest in home security systems; the "garage break-in" is the most common statistic in this bracket.

Weather & Schools:

• Weather: Currently 19.0°F with a high of 43°F. The "300 days of sunshine" metric is real, but the temperature variance requires a wardrobe for all four seasons in a single day.
• Schools: Jefferson County R-1 school district performs 8% above the state average in standardized testing, a key draw for the family demographic.

6. The Verdict

Pros:

• Income Premium: Median income ($83,987) is 12.6% above national average.
• Health & Environment: Health score of 85.3 and AQI of 50 are top-tier.
• Education: Workforce is highly skilled (45.6% college educated).

Cons:

• Housing Premium: Buying a home costs 39.3% more than the national median.
• Property Crime: Rates are 44.5% higher than average.
• Commute: Proximity to Denver creates traffic bottlenecks for RTO workers.

Final Recommendation:
Lakewood is Recommended for Renters and High-Income Families.
If you are renting and earning near the median of $83,987, Lakewood offers a superior quality-of-life score (85.3) compared to similarly priced metros. However, prospective homebuyers should be wary: with a $585,000 median price and high property crime, the financial and security risks are elevated. Rent here, bank the 47.2% disposable income, and enjoy the low 19.0°F winters in a heated garage.

7. FAQs

1. What salary is needed to live comfortably in Lakewood?
For a single person, a salary of $65,000 is the baseline to cover the $2,795 monthly budget and maintain a 20% savings rate. For a family, a combined income of $110,000 is required to maintain the same standard of living without being "house poor."

2. Is Lakewood overpriced compared to Denver?
No. Lakewood’s median home price of $585,000 is roughly 8-10% lower than Denver’s city proper ($640,000+), while offering similar access to amenities and a 10% lower sales tax rate.

3. How dangerous is the property crime rate?
The 2,890/100k property crime rate is statistically significant. It is advisable to rent in complexes with gated access or secure underground parking. Do not leave valuables in vehicles, as auto-theft accounts for 35% of these statistics.

4. When is the best time to move?
Move in January or February. The current temperature of 19.0°F deters many movers, leading to lower rental competition and moving truck rates. By March, inventory tightens and prices rise for the summer season.