Lakewood vs West Valley City

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 $60,338 in West Valley City.

Conversely, $75,000 in West Valley City equals $93,224 in Lakewood.

Living in Lakewood vs West Valley City

Housing Costs

Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher West Valley City's 129, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $485,000. The $89,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,784 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $1,350/mo in West Valley City, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 100 in West Valley City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood vs $475/month in West Valley City. 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 88 in West Valley City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $352 in West Valley City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 84 in Lakewood and 95 in West Valley City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $72,600 in West Valley City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 and $67,850 respectively. West Valley City 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 $1,694/month in West Valley City. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In West Valley City, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases