Lakewood vs Meridian
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lakewood
Meridian
The Verdict
Living in Meridian costs 10.8% less than Lakewood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lakewood, you would need $67,669 in Meridian.
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 $67,669 in Meridian.
Conversely, $75,000 in Meridian equals $83,125 in Lakewood.
Living in Lakewood vs Meridian
Housing Costs
Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Meridian's 154, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $509,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $1,725/mo in Meridian, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 104 in Meridian. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood vs $494/month in Meridian. 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 86 in Meridian. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $344 in Meridian. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 84 in Lakewood and 103 in Meridian. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $99,700 in Meridian. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 and $83,083 respectively. Meridian residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,955/month to housing in Lakewood vs $2,326/month in Meridian. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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