Lakewood vs Phoenix
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Lakewood
Phoenix
💡 The Verdict
Phoenix is 7% cheaper than Lakewood overall. A $75,000 salary in Lakewood is equivalent to $70,093 in Phoenix.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Lakewood (left) vs Phoenix (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Lakewood versus Phoenix. Differences shown from Lakewood perspective.
| Item | Lakewood | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,050/mo | $1,000/mo | +$50.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,400/mo | $1,400/mo | $0.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,950/mo | $1,860/mo | +$90.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.06 | $2.60 | +$0.46 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.64 | $3.75 | $-0.11 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.59 | $3.26 | +$0.33 |
| Coffee (latte) | $6.00 | $6.48 | $-0.48 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.31 | $3.31 | $0.00 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17.14 | $15.67 | +$1.47 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $70,093 in Phoenix.
Conversely, $75,000 in Phoenix equals $80,250 in Lakewood.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $1425 difference is driven by Colorado having a higher state income tax rate. Colorado details → · Arizona details →
Reading These Numbers: Lakewood (107) vs Phoenix (100)
Lakewood at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Phoenix at 100 is 0% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Lakewood, the composite index of 107 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 98, followed by groceries (105), utilities (93), transportation (96), and healthcare (113). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,400/mo in Lakewood and $1,400/mo in Phoenix, 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 $46,000.0 difference in median home prices between Lakewood and Phoenix 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: Lakewood vs Phoenix
Choosing between Lakewood and Phoenix 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 Lakewood and Phoenix 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.