Moving from Lakewood, CO to Gresham, OR
A move from Lakewood, CO to Gresham, OR covers 1239 mi and around 21h 24m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1239 mi Β· 21h 24m by car Β· CO β WY β UT β ID β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT β ID β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Aurora, Arvada, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Gresham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Gresham and Lakewood are close on the overall BEA RPP (105.782 vs 105.421); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 0.3% lower in Gresham than Lakewood as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Gresham -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Gresham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 40.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.4Β°F vs 54.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Gresham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 112,818 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $73,608 |
| Median age | 38 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Gresham is 0.3% below Lakewood ($85,789 β $73,608, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Gresham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 141,870 | $47,870 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 104,880 | $44,260 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 99,580 | $34,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 96,250 | $41,260 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 92,520 | $79,400 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon'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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades β register for county emergency alerts.
- 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 Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Gresham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1239 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Gresham compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Gresham MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Gresham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,608 in Gresham vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 14.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Gresham more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Gresham is 0.3% lower than Lakewood (105.421 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Gresham compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $471,181 in Gresham vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 17.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Gresham, OR from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 1239 mi and the route typically takes 21h 24m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Gresham, OR.