Boulder, CO vs Lakewood, CO

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lakewood is 29.1% cheaper than Boulder. With a cost index of 135 vs 174, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lakewood to Boulder should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Boulder is $1,924/month compared to $1,746/month in Lakewood — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lakewood is more affordable at $548,200 median vs $982,600.

Median household income in Boulder is $85,364 compared to $85,789 in Lakewood (-0.5%). Lakewood offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Boulder spend roughly 27% of their income on rent, more than the 24.4% in Lakewood.