Austin, TX vs Lakewood, CO
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Austin
68.3
#1322 nationally
Lakewood
62.8
#1823 nationally
Austin leads in median household income ($91,461 vs $82,786). Austin leads in cost of living index (129 vs 135). Lakewood leads in walk score (43 vs 42).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Austin, TX | Lakewood, CO |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.3 (#1322) | 62.8 (#1823) |
| Population | 967,862 | 155,961 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $504,148 | $565,359 |
| Median Household Income | $91,461 | $82,786 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 43 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 21.6 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.3 | D+19.5 |
D+
68.3 Score
Austin, TX
Live music capital meets tech innovation
Median Home
$504,148
Population
967,862
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southwest
View Austin, TX →
D-
62.8 Score
Lakewood, CO
Mid-size Colorado city with community character
Median Home
$565,359
Population
155,961
Crime
High
Walk Score
43
West
View Lakewood, CO →