Lakewood, CO vs Santa Cruz, CA
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.
Lakewood
62.8
#1823 nationally
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Lakewood leads in cost of living index (135 vs 205). Santa Cruz leads in walk score (63 vs 43). Santa Cruz leads in crime level (16.8 vs 21.6).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Lakewood, CO | Santa Cruz, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.8 (#1823) | 60.5 (#1932) |
| Population | 155,961 | 61,501 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $565,359 | $1,360,355 |
| Median Household Income | $82,786 | $105,491 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 22.2 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 63 |
| Crime Level | 21.6 | 16.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 135 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.5 | D+54.4 |
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 →
D-
60.5 Score
Santa Cruz, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,360,355
Population
61,501
Crime
High
Walk Score
63
Pacific
View Santa Cruz, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Lakewood for: