Moving from Arvada, CO to Lakewood, CO
Relocating from Arvada, CO to Lakewood, CO? The drive is 12 mi — about 24 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
12 mi · 24 min by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CO 391, CR 172 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Aurora, Denver, Thornton, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.0% under Arvada — $616,566 → $573,913 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 17.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 58.0 in of snowfall annually at Lakewood.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.26 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.0% — $113,396 → $85,789 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — 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 — 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 24.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 6.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 12 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Arvada and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 50.3°F in Arvada (0.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 17.1 in.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 12 mi and the route typically takes 24 min via CO 391 and CR 172. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · Lakewood, CO.