Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Lakewood, CO
It is 1015 mi between Costa Mesa and Lakewood β roughly 17h 49m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1015 mi Β· 17h 49m by car Β· CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, I 15 ALT |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Aurora, Thornton, Centennial, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.9% cheaper overall in Lakewood than Costa Mesa on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.9% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 17.5" |
Annual temperature drops 14.5Β°F moving to Lakewood per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 58.0 in of snowfall annually at Lakewood.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.26 |
Lakewood households earn about 6.9% less than Costa Mesa at the median β $110,073 β $85,789 on 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
- 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.
- 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 (14.5Β°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
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1015 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 Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 1015 mi and the route typically takes 17h 49m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 22.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 59.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 6.9% lower than Costa Mesa (105.782 vs 113.566, 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 Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Lakewood, CO.