Moving from Corona, CA to Lakewood, CO
A move from Corona, CA to Lakewood, CO covers 985 mi and around 17h 16m of driving through 5 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.
985 mi Β· 17h 16m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Corona | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Corona (106.442) and Lakewood (105.782) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Lakewood: 0.6% below Corona on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Corona -1.3%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Corona | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 17.5" |
Major climate step-down: 15.7Β°F cooler annual average in Lakewood vs Corona.
Heavy-snow city: expect 58.0 in of snowfall annually at Lakewood.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHINO AP, CA US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Corona | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,839 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $106,438 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.26 |
Median household income in Lakewood is 0.6% below Corona ($106,438 β $85,789, 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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.7Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Corona?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $764,386 in Corona β a 24.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Corona, CA?
The driving distance is 985 mi and the route typically takes 17h 16m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Corona to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 985 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Corona?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $47,450 in the Corona MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Corona?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 0.6% lower than Corona (105.782 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Corona vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $106,438 in Corona β a 19.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Corona.
City profiles: Corona, CA Β· Lakewood, CO.