Moving from Chicago, IL to Lakewood, CO
It is 1010 mi between Chicago and Lakewood β roughly 17h 56m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1010 mi Β· 17h 56m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 80, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Joliet, Aurora, Elgin, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 103.595 vs 105.782 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.1% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $317,283 to $573,913 moving to Lakewood.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 17.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Chicago (50.8Β°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: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.26 |
Households in Lakewood earn about 2.1% more at the median β 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 Illinois 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.
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 does household income compare in Chicago vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 14.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1010 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 1010 mi and the route typically takes 17h 56m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 2.1% higher than Chicago (105.782 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 80.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Lakewood, CO.