Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Lakewood, CO
Cross-country relocations like Elizabeth, NJ → Lakewood, CO cover 1779 mi and about 32h 13m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1779 mi · 32h 13m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Arvada, Boulder, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Lakewood are 6.0% below Elizabeth — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 6.0% higher in Lakewood than Elizabeth as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 17.5" |
Climate cools by 5.1°F on the annual average — 55.5°F → 50.4°F.
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: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.0% between Elizabeth 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 New Jersey 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
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 31.5 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 Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 6.0% lower than Elizabeth (105.782 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth 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 1779 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (5.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 46.6 in.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 1779 mi and the route typically takes 32h 13m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 34.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 7.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Lakewood, CO.