City Comparison

Henderson vs Lakewood

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Henderson

Nevada
108
Above Average
$420,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$72,238
Median Income

Lakewood

Colorado
133
Expensive
$574,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$83,800
Median Income

The Verdict

18.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.8%, with Henderson being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Henderson has equivalent purchasing power to $92,361 in Lakewood.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
118
Henderson
188
Lakewood
Groceries
102
Henderson
101
Lakewood
Utilities
94
Henderson
85
Lakewood
Transportation
107
Henderson
114
Lakewood
Healthcare
96
Henderson
84
Lakewood

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Henderson has the same purchasing power as $92,361 in Lakewood.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $60,902 in Henderson.

Living in Henderson vs Lakewood

Housing Costs

Henderson's housing index of 118 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $574,000. The $154,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,008 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Henderson compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Henderson and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Henderson vs $480/month in Lakewood. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Henderson and 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Henderson vs $340 in Lakewood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Henderson and 84 in Lakewood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $72,238 in Henderson and $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,887 and $63,008 respectively. Henderson residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,686/month to housing in Henderson vs $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Henderson, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 70 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Henderson is 18.8% more affordable overall with an index of 108 vs 133.
A $75,000 salary in Henderson has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $92,361 in Lakewood, based on the cost of living difference.
Henderson's housing index is 118 with median homes at $420,000, while Lakewood's is 188 with median homes at $574,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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