Arvada, CO vs Lakewood, CO

Arvada, CO and Lakewood, CO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Arvada scores 141 while Lakewood scores 135 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arvada is $1,802/month compared to $1,746/month in Lakewood — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lakewood is more affordable at $548,200 median vs $600,800.

Median household income in Arvada is $113,396 compared to $85,789 in Lakewood (+32.2%). While Arvada is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arvada spend roughly 19.1% of their income on rent, less than the 24.4% in Lakewood.