Moving from Lakewood, CO to Dallas, TX
It is 804 mi between Lakewood and Dallas — roughly 14h 33m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
804 mi · 14h 33m by car · TX → NM → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 25, US 87 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Allen, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 105.782 vs 103.09 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $573,913 to $309,421 moving to Dallas.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 38.3" |
Expect 17.6°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Dallas averages 1.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 38 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.46 |
Dallas households earn about 2.5% less than Lakewood at the median — $85,789 → $67,760 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dallas MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Dallas average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.6°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Dallas, TX from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 804 mi and the route typically takes 14h 33m via US 287 and I 25. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 46.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (17.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 17.5 in.
Is Dallas more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 2.5% lower than Lakewood (103.09 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 21.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 804 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,590,330 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 Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO · Dallas, TX.