Moving from Lakewood, CO to Kansas City, MO
It is 614 mi between Lakewood and Kansas City — roughly 10h 32m 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.
614 mi · 10h 32m by car · MO → KS → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO → KS → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, US 24 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Lee S Summit, Overland Park, Kansas City, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Expect about 12.5% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Kansas City at 92.543 vs Lakewood at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $573,913 to $250,208 moving to Kansas City.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Kansas City +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 38.1" |
Annual temperature rises 6.5°F moving to Kansas City per NOAA normals.
Kansas City averages 11.0 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, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 508,233 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $67,449 |
| Median age | 38 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.32 |
Kansas City households earn about 12.5% less than Lakewood at the median — $85,789 → $67,449 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- 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 Kansas City average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornadoes are common April through June — identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (6.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 17.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 614 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Kansas City, MO from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 614 mi and the route typically takes 10h 32m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 12.5% lower than Lakewood (92.543 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,449 in Kansas City vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 21.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $250,208 in Kansas City vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 56.4% lower 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 · Kansas City, MO.