Moving from Lakewood, CO to Greeley, CO
It is a 68 mi drive, roughly 1h 26m, between Lakewood, CO and Greeley, CO. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
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
| Lakewood | Greeley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 100.176 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 81.997 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 112.599 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.3% moving from Lakewood to Greeley — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $573,913 in Lakewood to $420,464 in Greeley, a 5.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Greeley -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Greeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 34.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 14.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.4°F vs 52.1°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Greeley sees 34.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, GREELEY UNC, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Greeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 109,421 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $68,650 |
| Median age | 38 | 32.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 15.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.81 |
Greeley households earn about 5.3% less than Lakewood at the median — $85,789 → $68,650 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Greeley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,370 | $46,100 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 11,010 | $52,590 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,590 | $47,780 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,120 | $39,710 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,660 | $32,760 |
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
- Winter gear first: Greeley averages 34.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Greeley average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Greeley sees only 14.7 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
How far is Greeley, CO from Lakewood, 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 household income compare in Lakewood vs Greeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $68,650 in Greeley vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 20.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Greeley more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Greeley is 5.3% lower than Lakewood (100.176 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Greeley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.1°F in Greeley vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (1.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 34.9 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.7 in vs 17.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Greeley compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $420,464 in Greeley vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 26.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Greeley?
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.
How does the job market in Greeley compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,140 in the Greeley MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 111,210 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 · Greeley, CO.