Lakewood vs Nampa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lakewood
Nampa
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 26.7%, with Nampa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lakewood has equivalent purchasing power to $59,211 in Nampa.
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 $59,211 in Nampa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $95,000 in Lakewood.
Living in Lakewood vs Nampa
Housing Costs
Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Nampa's 104, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $371,000. The $203,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,200 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $1,500/mo in Nampa, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 105 in Nampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood vs $499/month in Nampa. 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 83 in Nampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $332 in Nampa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 84 in Lakewood and 102 in Nampa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $74,300 in Nampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 and $70,762 respectively. Nampa 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 $1,734/month in Nampa. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 84 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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