Moving from Lakewood, CO to Mesa, AZ
It is 860 mi between Lakewood and Mesa β roughly 15h 34m 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.
860 mi Β· 15h 34m by car Β· AZ β NM β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, AZ 77, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Phoenix, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Mesa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Lakewood and Mesa sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $573,913 in Lakewood to $435,134 in Mesa, a 2.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Mesa -1.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 106Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 10.8" |
Annual average temperature jumps 21.9Β°F β 50.4Β°F in Lakewood vs 72.3Β°F in Mesa, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, E MESA, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 507,478 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $78,779 |
| Median age | 38 | 37.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.59 |
Households in Mesa earn about 2.3% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mesa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 β 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 Mesa average 106Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Mesa sees only 10.8 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 (21.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Mesa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 860 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Mesa more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mesa is 2.3% lower than Lakewood (103.316 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Mesa compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Mesa MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 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 Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $78,779 in Mesa vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 8.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Mesa, AZ from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 860 mi and the route typically takes 15h 34m via I 25 and AZ 77. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Mesa compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $435,134 in Mesa vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 24.2% 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 Β· Mesa, AZ.