Moving from Des Moines, IA to Lakewood, CO
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Lakewood, CO runs 679 mi — about 11h 51m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
679 mi · 11h 51m by car · IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 76, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley, Thornton, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Lakewood is 15.4% higher than Des Moines, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Lakewood is 15.4% above Des Moines — $208,166 vs $573,913 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 17.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Des Moines (50.9°F) and Lakewood (50.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Lakewood averages 58.0 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 15.4% between Des Moines 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 Iowa 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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 36.5 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.
- Register to vote in Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Lakewood more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 15.4% higher than Des Moines (105.782 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 679 mi and the route typically takes 11h 51m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 76. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (0.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 36.6 in.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 34.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines 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 679 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 175.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Lakewood, CO.