Moving from Lakewood, CO to Miami Gardens, FL
Moving from Lakewood, CO to Miami Gardens, FL is a 2059 mi cross-country relocation β about 37h 6m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2059 mi Β· 37h 6m by car Β· CO β KS β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β KS β MO β IL β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 75, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | Arvada, Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Miami Gardens | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.9% pricier overall in Miami Gardens than Lakewood on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 7.9% lower in Miami Gardens than Lakewood as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 68.3" |
NOAA normals show Miami Gardens running 25.6Β°F above Lakewood on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 111,264 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $60,979 |
| Median age | 38 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 11.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 3.22 |
Median household income in Miami Gardens is 7.9% below Lakewood ($85,789 vs $60,979, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami Gardens MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami Gardens averages 68.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (25.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Miami Gardens?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 28.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Miami Gardens, FL from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 2059 mi and the route typically takes 37h 6m via I 70 and I 75. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Miami Gardens more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 7.9% higher than Lakewood (114.155 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Miami Gardens compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 18.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Miami Gardens?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2059 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Miami Gardens, FL.