Lakewood vs Las Vegas
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lakewood
Las Vegas
The Verdict
Living in Las Vegas costs 31.7% less than Lakewood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lakewood, you would need $56,955 in Las Vegas.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $56,955 in Las Vegas.
Conversely, $75,000 in Las Vegas equals $98,762 in Lakewood.
Living in Lakewood vs Las Vegas
Housing Costs
Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Las Vegas's 106, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $350,000. The $224,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $1,400/mo in Las Vegas, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 101 in Las Vegas. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood vs $480/month in Las Vegas. 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 85 in Lakewood and 94 in Las Vegas. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $376 in Las Vegas. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 84 in Lakewood and 96 in Las Vegas. 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 $83,800 in Lakewood and $56,415 in Las Vegas. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 and $55,856 respectively. Lakewood residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,955/month to housing in Lakewood vs $1,316/month in Las Vegas. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Las Vegas, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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