Moving from Lakewood, CO to Cleveland, OH
Relocating 1338 mi from Lakewood to Cleveland is a 23h 57m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1338 mi Β· 23h 57m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Joliet |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Cleveland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 93.923 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 95.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 79.434 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.2% cheaper overall in Cleveland than Lakewood on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Cleveland -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 33.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 367,523 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $39,187 |
| Median age | 38 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.18 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.2% β $85,789 β $39,187 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Cleveland compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $115,537 in Cleveland vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 79.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Cleveland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,187 in Cleveland vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 54.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Cleveland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1338 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Cleveland, OH from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 1338 mi and the route typically takes 23h 57m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Cleveland more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cleveland is 11.2% lower than Lakewood (93.923 vs 105.782, 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 Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Cleveland, OH.