Moving from Greeley, CO to Lakewood, CO
Relocating between Greeley, CO and Lakewood, CO is a 68 mi drive — 1h 26m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
68 mi · 1h 26m by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, US 34, US 6 |
| Major cities en route | Arvada, Centennial, Denver, Aurora, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Greeley | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.176 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.997 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.599 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Lakewood runs about 5.6% more expensive overall than Greeley — RPP 100.176 → 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $420,464 in Greeley to $573,913 in Lakewood, a 5.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Greeley -1.6%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Greeley | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 34.9" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.7" | 17.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 52.1°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: GREELEY UNC, CO US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Greeley | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,421 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $68,650 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 32.5 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.9% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.26 |
Expect median household income to rise 5.6% — $68,650 → $85,789 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 34.9 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
What is the climate difference between Greeley and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 52.1°F in Greeley (1.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 34.9 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 14.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Greeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $420,464 in Greeley — a 36.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Greeley, CO?
The driving distance is 68 mi and the route typically takes 1h 26m via I 25 and US 34. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Greeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $50,140 in the Greeley MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 111,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Greeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 5.6% higher than Greeley (105.782 vs 100.176, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Greeley vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $68,650 in Greeley — a 25.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Greeley 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 68 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Greeley.
City profiles: Greeley, CO · Lakewood, CO.