Lakewood, CO vs Pueblo, CO

The cost of living difference between Lakewood, CO and Pueblo, CO is dramatic. Pueblo is 63.7% cheaper than Lakewood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lakewood has a cost index of 135 while Pueblo sits at 82, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Lakewood is $1,746/month compared to $1,020/month in Pueblo — a 71% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pueblo is more affordable at $230,900 median vs $548,200.

Median household income in Lakewood is $85,789 compared to $55,305 in Pueblo (+55.1%). The higher salaries in Lakewood partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lakewood spend roughly 24.4% of their income on rent, more than the 22.1% in Pueblo.