Lakewood, CA

Lakewood CA scores 57/100 on safety (below average). Crime is about 11% above the national average. Expect more property crime (car break-ins, package theft) than a quiet suburb.

Detail: overall crime index 111 (100 = avg); violent crime index 102; property crime index 119. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

School quality varies by neighborhood in Lakewood. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP.

Typical rent in Lakewood is about $2,347/month (expensive). At $2,347/month for a typical unit, you need about $84,492+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $827,200.

Median household income is $119,177, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($119,177) clears the $84,492 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 81°F (highs near 89°F, lows near 73°F).

Most of the year is outdoor-friendly; peak summer still needs AC for comfort. Cooling costs matter more than heating for most of the year. If you visit, go in late summer so you feel the heat, not just a mild weekend.

Who tends to thrive in Lakewood: (1) Dual-income households (at $2,347/month, the rent math works much better with two salaries) (2) Tech and finance workers (the job market is real and local pay near $119,177 helps carry housing costs) (3) Households earning $84,492+ who can clear the 3× rent rule at $2,347/month (4) Movers with a locked job offer in Lakewood who already priced rent and commute

Who should look elsewhere: (1) People with young kids who want to let them roam freely (crime pressure is real here; safety 57/100) (2) Single earners under $70k (the rent-to-income ratio is tight at $2,347/month) (3) Anyone stretching past 40% of take-home on housing at $2,347/month

Income sniff test: clear about $84,492 household income for $2,347/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Lakewood is a mixed picture. Safety is average and rent at $2,347/month is on the high side. It works for the right household but is not an obvious choice.