Lakewood vs Yuma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lakewood
Yuma
The Verdict
Yuma is 44.6% less expensive than Lakewood overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lakewood would need approximately $51,880 in Yuma to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $51,880 in Yuma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $108,424 in Lakewood.
Living in Lakewood vs Yuma
Housing Costs
Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $284,000. The $290,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,852 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $750.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood vs $480/month in Yuma. 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 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $408 in Yuma. 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 87 in Yuma. 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 $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 and $58,804 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 $1,262/month in Yuma. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo fits within this budget. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 106 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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