Moving from Lakewood, CO to Norman, OK
It is 708 mi between Lakewood and Norman — roughly 12h 21m 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.
708 mi · 12h 21m by car · CO → KS → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → KS → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 35, I 135 |
| Major cities en route | Arvada, Centennial, Westminster, Boulder, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Norman | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Expect about 14.5% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Norman at 90.408 vs Lakewood at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 14.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $573,913 to $262,839 moving to Norman.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Norman +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 4.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 37.7" |
Annual temperature rises 10.3°F moving to Norman per NOAA normals.
Norman averages 4.1 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, NORMAN 3SSE, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 128,714 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $65,060 |
| Median age | 38 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.5 |
Norman households earn about 14.5% less than Lakewood at the median — $85,789 → $65,060 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norman MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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 Norman average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Norman compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,839 in Norman vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 54.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Norman more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norman is 14.5% lower than Lakewood (90.408 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Norman compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Norman MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 656,800 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 Norman?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,060 in Norman vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 24.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Norman, OK from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 708 mi and the route typically takes 12h 21m via I 70 and I 35. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Norman?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Norman vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (10.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 4.1 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.7 in vs 17.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Norman?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 708 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · Norman, OK.