Moving from Bellevue, WA to Lakewood, CO
A move from Bellevue, WA to Lakewood, CO covers 1303 mi and around 22h 41m of driving through 6 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1303 mi · 22h 41m by car · CO → WY → UT → ID → OR → WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → UT → ID → OR → WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, US 97 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Aurora, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Bellevue (111.133) and Lakewood (105.782) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Lakewood: 4.8% below Bellevue on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Bellevue | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 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: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.26 |
Median household income in Lakewood is 4.8% below Bellevue ($161,300 vs $85,789, ACS 5-year 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 Washington 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Lakewood averages 58.0 in annually vs 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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
How does household income compare in Bellevue vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $161,300 in Bellevue — a 46.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 1303 mi and the route typically takes 22h 41m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 4.8% lower than Bellevue (105.782 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue 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 1303 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Bellevue and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 53.2°F in Bellevue (2.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 37.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue — a 62.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA · Lakewood, CO.