Thoughtful response: your explanation does not hold water for commodities that are shipped from elsewhere. All meat and most groceries and sold in Lakewood are not produced in Lakewood. The only difference would be the shipping costs to Lakewood which even if it is higher is minimal. It is the overall supply and demand on an INDUSTRY that will have that effect on prices.
I think prices are much more effected by attitudes and mindsets. If more people in Lakewood just buy items without concern for prices and don’t change spending habits, store owners will raise prices to what they can get away with. If Lakewood has become the Ir HaTorah Vehagashmius prices rise accordingly.
Check this out in a few weeks from now when people start buying arba minim. Compare the cheapest set (or average set) in Lakewood vs. Brooklyn. All of these goods are being shipped from elsewhere. I think that you will notice the prices are much higher in Lakewood than Brooklyn, Monsey, 5T, Passaic etc. You may say it is because people in Lakewood are more machshiv mitzvos or because the resident don’t think about it and just pay higher prices no matter what. The sellers will then adjust prices accordingly for the same exact sechora.