Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Lakewood, CO
Cross-country relocations like Jersey City, NJ → Lakewood, CO cover 1781 mi and about 32h 10m 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.
1781 mi · 32h 10m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Newark, Elizabeth, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jersey City | 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 |
Lakewood is 6.0% cheaper than Jersey City overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Lakewood is 6.0% below Jersey City ($573,913 vs $658,269 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jersey City -0.7%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jersey City | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 17.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Jersey City (54.8°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: HARRISON, NJ US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jersey City | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $94,813 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.26 |
Income steps down 6.0%: $94,813 in Jersey City vs $85,789 in Lakewood.
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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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 28.2 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 Jersey City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 6.0% lower than Jersey City (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 Jersey City 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 1781 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Jersey City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $59,390 in the Jersey City 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.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance is 1781 mi and the route typically takes 32h 10m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Jersey City vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $94,813 in Jersey City — a 9.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Jersey City and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 54.8°F in Jersey City (4.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 28.2 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 50.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Jersey City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $658,269 in Jersey City — a 12.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jersey City.
City profiles: Jersey City, NJ · Lakewood, CO.