Hollywood vs Lakewood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Hollywood
Lakewood
The Verdict
Hollywood is 16.5% less expensive than Lakewood overall. A household earning $75,000 in Hollywood would need approximately $89,865 in Lakewood to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Hollywood has the same purchasing power as $89,865 in Lakewood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $62,594 in Hollywood.
Living in Hollywood vs Lakewood
Housing Costs
Hollywood's housing index of 130 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $424,000 vs $574,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Hollywood compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Hollywood and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Hollywood 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 96 in Hollywood and 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Hollywood vs $340 in Lakewood. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Hollywood 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 $60,300 in Hollywood and $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,324 and $63,008 respectively. Lakewood residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,407/month to housing in Hollywood vs $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Hollywood, median rent of $1,725/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases