Is Lakewood Expensive?

Denver, United States

-15% vs Denver avg

Living in Lakewood, Denver

Lakewood is a relatively affordable area in Denver, with a cost of living index of 55.8 — that is -15% compared to the Denver average. At #16 of 24, it is below the city average in cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $1,615/month, compared to a range of $1,330 in Federal Heights to $2,432 in Cherry Creek.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Lakewood, housing takes up roughly 38% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $64,600 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Lakewood

Salaries in Lakewood reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 55.8:

After tax and deductions of 23.5% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $64,600 would be roughly $49,419/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

55.8
COLI Index
0.85x
vs City Avg
$1,615
Est. 1BR Rent
#16
of 24 Areas
23.5%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Lakewood

Estimated annual deductions on a $41,850 salary in Lakewood, Denver (local employee).

Income Tax
11%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (CO)
4.4%
Total Deductions: 23.5%
Est. Take-Home: $32,017/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Lakewood would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $41,850
London GBP £36,015
Dubai AED AED 209,408

Other Neighborhoods in Denver

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Cherry Creek 84.1 1.28x +28%
LoDo (Lower Downtown) 80.2 1.22x +22%
RiNo (River North) 75.6 1.15x +15%
Hilltop 75.6 1.15x +15%
Highlands 73.6 1.12x +12%

View all 24 neighborhoods in Denver →

Convert Your Salary

See exactly what you need to earn in Lakewood, Denver to maintain your lifestyle.

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Lakewood:

El Cajon, San Diego Leith, Edinburgh Newington, Edinburgh Preston, Melbourne Box Hill, Melbourne Durham, Raleigh

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lakewood expensive in Denver?

Lakewood is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Denver. It costs about -15% less than the city average, ranking #16 out of 24 neighborhoods.

How does Lakewood compare to the Denver average?

The cost of living in Lakewood is below the Denver average. With a multiplier of 0.85x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -15% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.