Houston vs Lakewood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Houston
Lakewood
💡 The Verdict
Houston is 10% cheaper than Lakewood overall. A $75,000 salary in Houston is equivalent to $83,594 in Lakewood.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Houston (left) vs Lakewood (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Houston versus Lakewood. Differences shown from Houston perspective.
| Item | Houston | Lakewood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,020/mo | $1,050/mo | $-30.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,400/mo | $1,400/mo | $0.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,920/mo | $1,950/mo | $-30.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.51 | $3.06 | $-0.55 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.58 | $3.64 | $-0.06 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.08 | $3.59 | $-0.51 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.55 | $6.00 | $-0.45 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.49 | $3.31 | +$0.18 |
| Restaurant Meal | $13.18 | $17.14 | $-3.96 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Houston has the same purchasing power as $83,594 in Lakewood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $67,290 in Houston.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3301 difference is driven by Colorado having a higher state income tax rate. Texas details → · Colorado details →
Reading These Numbers: Houston (96) vs Lakewood (107)
Houston at 96 is 4% below the US average, while Lakewood at 107 is 7% above average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Houston, the composite index of 96 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 89, followed by groceries (94), utilities (97), transportation (108), and healthcare (96). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,400/mo in Houston and $1,400/mo in Lakewood, the annual rent difference is approximately $0.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $0.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $54,000.0 difference in median home prices between Houston and Lakewood translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Houston vs Lakewood
Choosing between Houston and Lakewood involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between Houston and Lakewood can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.