Moving from Lakewood, CO to Irvine, CA
It is 1009 mi between Lakewood and Irvine — roughly 17h 45m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1009 mi · 17h 45m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Irvine | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 7.4% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.4% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $573,913 to $1,557,982 moving to Irvine.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 14.1" |
Annual temperature rises 14.5°F moving to Irvine per NOAA normals.
Irvine gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 38 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.75 |
Irvine households earn about 7.4% more than Lakewood at the median — $85,789 → $129,647 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irvine MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- 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
- Dry climate: Irvine sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Irvine?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.9°F in Irvine vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (14.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 17.5 in.
How far is Irvine, CA from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 1009 mi and the route typically takes 17h 45m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 51.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1009 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Irvine more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irvine is 7.4% higher than Lakewood (113.566 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Irvine compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 171.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO · Irvine, CA.