Moving from Amarillo, TX to Lakewood, CO
It is a 436 mi drive, roughly 8h 2m, between Amarillo, TX and Lakewood, CO. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
436 mi Β· 8h 2m by car Β· TX β NM β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, US 87, US 385 |
| Major cities en route | Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Centennial, Aurora, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 15.2% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.2% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $206,787 to $573,913 moving to Lakewood.
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 17.5" |
Annual temperature drops 6.5Β°F moving to Lakewood per NOAA normals.
Lakewood averages 58.0 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 35 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.26 |
Lakewood households earn about 15.2% more than Amarillo at the median β $62,469 β $85,789 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lakewood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Lakewood averages 58.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Lakewood more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 15.2% higher than Amarillo (105.782 vs 91.82, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 436 mi and the route typically takes 8h 2m via I 25 and US 87. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 37.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 177.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 436 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX Β· Lakewood, CO.