The minimum wage in Lakewood is $14.81/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $21.50/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Lakewood.
The minimum wage in Lakewood is the Colorado statewide rate of $14.81/hour. Lakewood does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Colorado statewide rate (about $14.81 entering 2026 and adjusted each January for inflation) applies. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Lakewood. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,600/month and a cost-of-living index of 106 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Lakewood, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $14.81 | $30,805 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $21.50 | $44,720 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $43.50 | $90,480 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $19,200 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Jefferson County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Lakewood.
Lakewood is the largest city in Jefferson County, just west of Denver, home to the Denver Federal Center (one of the largest concentrations of federal agencies outside Washington, D.C.), healthcare, retail, and easy access to the foothills of the Rockies.
| Local Metric | Lakewood (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 155,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Jefferson County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 106 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $43.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $14.81/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,600/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,950/month |
| Median home price | $560,000 |
| Median household income | $82,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 7.5% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.51% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Lakewood is the Colorado statewide rate of $14.81/hour. Lakewood does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Colorado statewide rate (about $14.81 entering 2026 and adjusted each January for inflation) applies. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $30,805 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Jefferson County needs about $21.50/hour (roughly $44,720/year) to cover basic costs. That is $6.69/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $43.50/hour.
At $14.81/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $30,805 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $23,104/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Lakewood is about $1,600/month, or $19,200/year.
Lakewood does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Colorado statewide rate (about $14.81 entering 2026 and adjusted each January for inflation) applies.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Colorado sets a state minimum wage above the federal floor and adjusts it each January for inflation; Denver and some other localities set even higher local minimums, so the applicable rate applies in Lakewood.