Moving from Cambridge, MA to Lakewood, CO
Cross-country relocations like Cambridge, MA β Lakewood, CO cover 1985 mi and about 36h 13m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1985 mi Β· 36h 13m by car Β· CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Arvada, Westminster, Boulder, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cambridge | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Lakewood and Cambridge is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Lakewood is 2.3% below Cambridge β $1,041,569 vs $573,913 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Cambridge -1.5%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cambridge | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 17.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Cambridge (51.2Β°F) and Lakewood (50.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (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: JAMAICA PLAIN, MA US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cambridge | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $126,469 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 30.5 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 2.3% between Cambridge and Lakewood (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 Massachusetts 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
- 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
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
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Cambridge?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $1,041,569 in Cambridge β a 44.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cambridge to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1985 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Cambridge vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $126,469 in Cambridge β a 32.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Cambridge?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 2.3% lower than Cambridge (105.782 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance is 1985 mi and the route typically takes 36h 13m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 10 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 Cambridge.
City profiles: Cambridge, MA Β· Lakewood, CO.