Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Lakewood, CO
The 74 mi from Colorado Springs to Lakewood translate to about 1h 30m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
74 mi · 1h 30m by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, US 6, CO 391 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Aurora, Denver, Thornton, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Colorado Springs | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.707 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.195 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 116.207 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.0% pricier overall in Lakewood than Colorado Springs on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lakewood typical home at $573,913 is 5.0% above Colorado Springs at $449,452 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Colorado Springs -2.2%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Colorado Springs | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 17.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.5°F vs 50.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Lakewood sees 58.0 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Colorado Springs | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $83,198 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.26 |
Household income lines up — $83,198 vs $85,789 on 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.
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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Lakewood averages 58.0 in annually vs 32.5 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Colorado Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $449,452 in Colorado Springs — a 27.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Colorado Springs 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 74 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance is 74 mi and the route typically takes 1h 30m via I 25 and US 6. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Colorado Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 310,390 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Colorado Springs and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 50.5°F in Colorado Springs (0.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 32.5 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 15.9 in.
How does household income compare in Colorado Springs vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $83,198 in Colorado Springs — a 3.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Colorado Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 5.0% higher than Colorado Springs (105.782 vs 100.707, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Colorado Springs.
City profiles: Colorado Springs, CO · Lakewood, CO.