Is Orange, CA cheaper than Lakewood, CO?

Based on cost of living data, Orange, CA is 42.3% more expensive than Lakewood, CO. This translates to spending an extra $3169 per month.

What salary do I need in Orange, CA to live like I do in Lakewood, CO?

If you earn $150,000 in Lakewood, CO, you'd need approximately $188,025.457 in Orange, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Lakewood, CO and Orange, CA?

Housing in Orange, CA is 87.8% more expensive than in Lakewood, CO. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,213/month in Orange, CA compared to $1,599/month in Lakewood, CO.

How much can I save per month by moving from Lakewood, CO to Orange, CA?

Living in Orange, CA costs approximately $3169 more per month than Lakewood, CO, or $38025 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Lakewood, CO vs Orange, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Lakewood, CO

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $3.2K/month more in Orange, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $188.0K in Orange, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO area

Overall Cost

↑ 42.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,169

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$38.0K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Lakewood, CO

Population:156K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$585K

Orange, CA

Population:138K

Cost Index:

142

(42% above avg)

Median Home:$833K

Lakewood, CO

The Centennial State

156K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Colorado, this city has a population of 156K residents.

Orange, CA

The Golden State

138K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 138K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Lakewood, CO vs Orange, CA

Category	Lakewood, CO	Orange, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,827/mo	$5,308/mo	↑ $2,481more	87.8%
Transportation	$1,413/mo	$2,120/mo	↑ $707more	50.0%
Healthcare	$621/mo	$547/mo	↓ $74.86less	12.0%
All Utilities	$510/mo	$552/mo	↑ $42.00more	8.2%
Other	$1,716/mo	$1,694/mo	↓ $21.76less	1.3%
Groceries	$1,012/mo	$1,030/mo	↑ $18.01more	1.8%

Housing

↑ 87.8%

Lakewood, CO

$2,827

Orange, CA

$5,308

Difference

$2,481

Transportation

↑ 50.0%

Lakewood, CO

$1,413

Orange, CA

$2,120

Difference

$707

Healthcare

↓ 12.0%

Lakewood, CO

$621

Orange, CA

$547

Difference

$74.86

less

All Utilities

↑ 8.2%

Lakewood, CO

$510

Orange, CA

$552

Difference

$42.00

Other

↓ 1.3%

Lakewood, CO

$1,716

Orange, CA

$1,694

Difference

$21.76

less

Groceries

↑ 1.8%

Lakewood, CO

$1,012

Orange, CA

$1,030

Difference

$18.01

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,257

To$1,461

↑ $204

1 Bed

From$1,344

To$1,712

↑ $368

2 Bed

From$1,599

To$2,213

↑ $614

3 Bed

From$2,092

To$3,173

↑ $1,081

Lakewood, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,620–$1,900/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,100

Monthly in Lakewood, CO

$11,251

Monthly in Orange, CA

$3,152

Difference

Home Values

Lakewood

Orange

$585K

Median Value

↓ -2.6%

YoY Change

↑ +20.1%

5-Year Change

$519K - $652K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Lakewood

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $4.0K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$336

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.7%

Rate difference

Lakewood, CO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Colorado State Tax

Effective: 4.4%

$6.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.1%

$43.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,866/month

$106.4K

Orange, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Lakewood, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

Orange, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.