City Comparison

Lakewood vs Vienna

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lakewood

Colorado
133
Expensive
$574,000
Median Home
$1,850/mo
Median Rent
$83,800
Median Income

Vienna

Austria
88
Below Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

The Verdict

51.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 51.1%, with Vienna being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lakewood has equivalent purchasing power to $49,624 in Vienna.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
188
Lakewood
105
Vienna
Groceries
101
Lakewood
85
Vienna
Utilities
85
Lakewood
98
Vienna
Transportation
114
Lakewood
102
Vienna
Healthcare
84
Lakewood
82
Vienna

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $49,624 in Vienna.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $113,352 in Lakewood.

Living in Lakewood vs Vienna

Housing Costs

Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $395,000. The $179,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,640 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $912/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 85 in Lakewood and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $392 in Vienna. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 84 in Lakewood and 82 in Vienna. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $83,800 in Lakewood and $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 and $54,545 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vienna is 51.1% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 133.
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $49,624 in Vienna, based on the cost of living difference.
Lakewood's housing index is 188 with median homes at $574,000, while Vienna's is 105 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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