Blog > Englewood vs Lakewood: Which Denver Suburb Is Better for You?
Englewood vs Lakewood: Which Denver Suburb Is Better for You?
by Alex Saldana
Englewood vs Lakewood: Which Denver Suburb Is Better for You?
By Alex Saldana, Colorado Real Estate Broker (License #042865) · July 21, 2026
▶ For the full breakdown, watch the video on YouTube.
Englewood and Lakewood sit within 7 miles of downtown Denver but feel completely different. Englewood is compact and walkable with light rail access, while Lakewood is five times bigger with foothills parks and the Belmar downtown.
How do Englewood and Lakewood compare at a glance?
Englewood is about 6.5 square miles with around 35,000 people, while Lakewood is the fifth largest city in Colorado at 155,000 residents spread across more than 40 square miles.
These two suburbs sit right at the edge of Denver, but they're built for different people. Englewood sits directly south of the city and has a dense, close-in, almost part-of-Denver feel, anchored by its own historic downtown along South Broadway. Lakewood sits just west of Denver and runs right up toward the foothills.
The size difference shapes everything else. Englewood is compact and urban adjacent, so most of the city feels consistent and connected. Lakewood is big, spread out, and outdoor oriented, which means you get way more neighborhood variety but less of that walkable, city-extension vibe.
I've been a Denver agent since 2010, and I hear this exact debate from relocating buyers all the time. Neither one is better. It comes down to whether you want to feel plugged into the city or pointed at the mountains.
Which suburb has the better commute to downtown Denver?
Englewood sits about 6 miles south of downtown Denver, and Lakewood sits about 7 miles west, so both are commutable and both have light rail.
Englewood is well served by light rail with stations right in town, including the big one at City Center. Lakewood connects to downtown via 6th Avenue and the W Line light rail. Having real transit options puts both of these ahead of most Denver suburbs.
The real difference is direction. Englewood points you south toward the Denver Tech Center, which matters a lot if your job is in the South Metro corporate corridor. Lakewood points you west toward Golden and the foothills, which is ideal if your work pulls you toward the Federal Center, School of Mines, or Coors.
So instead of asking which commute is better, ask where your job and your weekends pull you. If it's south, Englewood wins. If it's west, Lakewood wins. If it's straight downtown, honestly, it's a wash.
Is Englewood or Lakewood more affordable?
As of 2026, Englewood's overall median home price sits right around $550,000 while Lakewood's is right around $570,000.
On paper they look comparable. Englewood's single-family homes run around $650,000 with townhomes in the high $400s. But citywide medians can be misleading, especially in a city as large and varied as Lakewood. Out in Green Mountain, single-family homes run north of $800,000 to $900,000, while older central and southern pockets come in well under that.
Englewood is more compact, so pricing is a bit more consistent, but there's still a big spread. The southeast corner near Cherry Hills Village commands an extreme premium, while areas around the older downtown are more affordable.
The housing stock differs too. Englewood skews older and eclectic, with craftsman-influenced ranches and the famous mid-century Arapahoe Acres enclave on the National Register of Historic Places. Much of Lakewood went up between 1969 and 1980, plus newer construction out west and modern condos around Belmar. In both cities, the neighborhood matters way more than the citywide number.
What is the lifestyle like in Englewood vs Lakewood?
Englewood's historic downtown along South Broadway has a hip, up-and-coming energy anchored by the Gothic Theatre, while Lakewood built its walkable Belmar district where the old Villa Italia Mall used to be.
This is the biggest difference between the two. Englewood feels like an extension of Denver. South Broadway brings live music at the Gothic, craft breweries and distilleries, the Museum of Outdoor Arts, and restaurants spilling over from Denver's South Broadway scene. If you want walkability and nightlife close by, it delivers.
Lakewood is more spread out and outdoor focused, but Belmar is a true walkable town center with shopping, dining, a movie theater, events, and even a seasonal ice rink. The rest of the city is about parks and mountain access: Bear Creek Lake Park with swimming, boating, and camping, plus miles of trails on Green Mountain at William Frederick Hayden Park, with Red Rocks just minutes away in Morrison.
Englewood packs a lot into a small footprint too. Belleview Park, Pirate's Cove Water Park, Broken Tee Golf Course, and the South Platte River Trail all sit inside city limits.
How are the jobs and schools in Englewood and Lakewood?
Lakewood's single biggest employer is the Denver Federal Center, home to 26 federal agencies, while Englewood anchors on healthcare with Swedish Medical Center and the nationally known Craig Hospital.
Englewood leans healthcare and South Metro corporate, with employers like Comcast in town and an easy hop to the Denver Tech Center. Lakewood leans government and West Metro, with proximity to Golden employers like the School of Mines, Coors, and the Renewable Energy Lab.
Schools need a little care in both cities. Most of Englewood is served by Englewood Schools, but the desirable southeast portion near Cherry Hills Village falls into the highly regarded Cherry Creek School District, which is a big draw for families. Lakewood is served by Jeffco Public Schools, the largest district in Colorado, with high schools like Lakewood, Green Mountain, and Bear Creek, plus lottery access to top-ranked D'Evelyn.
In both cities, assigned schools vary block by block. Check the exact address you're considering on greatschools.org or niche.com before you fall in love with a house. I can't stress that enough with these two.
Should you choose Englewood or Lakewood?
Choose Englewood if you want a compact city 6 miles from downtown with walkability and Tech Center access; choose Lakewood if you want space, neighborhood variety, and the foothills minutes away.
Englewood fits if you want a smaller, close-in city that feels like an extension of Denver, you value walkability and a hip downtown, you want strong light rail access and an easy shot to the Tech Center, or you're drawn to the southeast pocket with Cherry Creek schools. It's about being as close to the city as possible without paying full Denver prices.
Lakewood fits if you want more space and more neighborhood variety, you love being minutes from the foothills, Bear Creek Lake, and Red Rocks, you like a purpose-built walkable downtown in Belmar, or your work pulls you toward the Federal Center or Golden.
If your household is debating between areas, call or text me at (303) 552-4804 and I'll help settle it. Not ready to talk? Grab my free 60-page Denver relocation guide, which covers every corner of the metro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Englewood or Lakewood closer to downtown Denver?
They're nearly identical. Englewood sits about 6 miles directly south of downtown Denver, and Lakewood sits about 7 miles west. Both have light rail service into the city, with Englewood on lines through City Center station and Lakewood on the W Line along 6th Avenue.
Which is more expensive, Englewood or Lakewood?
They're close. As of 2026, Englewood's median home price is around $550,000 and Lakewood's is around $570,000. But neighborhoods vary widely. Green Mountain homes in Lakewood can top $800,000, while southeast Englewood near Cherry Hills Village commands a big premium over the rest of the city.
Does Lakewood have a real downtown?
Yes. Belmar is Lakewood's purpose-built downtown, constructed where the old Villa Italia Mall used to be. It's a genuinely walkable district with shopping, dining, a movie theater, community events, and a seasonal ice rink, surrounded by modern condos and townhomes.
What school districts serve Englewood and Lakewood?
Most of Englewood is served by Englewood Schools, but the southeast portion near Cherry Hills Village falls into the Cherry Creek School District. Lakewood is served by Jeffco Public Schools, Colorado's largest district, with lottery access to top-ranked D'Evelyn. Assigned schools vary block by block, so check exact addresses.
Is Lakewood good for outdoor recreation?
It's one of the best-positioned suburbs in the metro for it. Bear Creek Lake Park offers swimming, boating, and camping, William Frederick Hayden Park on Green Mountain has miles of trails, and Red Rocks is minutes away in Morrison. The foothills sit right at the city's western edge.
What are the major employers in Englewood and Lakewood?
Englewood anchors on healthcare with Swedish Medical Center and Craig Hospital, plus corporate employers like Comcast and quick access to the Denver Tech Center. Lakewood's biggest employer is the Denver Federal Center with 26 federal agencies, plus nearby Golden employers like the School of Mines and Coors.
Thinking about buying or selling in Denver?
Call or text (303) 552-4804 for a no-pressure conversation about your situation.
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