Moving from Lakewood, CO to Omaha, NE
Relocating 542 mi from Lakewood to Omaha is a 9h 19m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
542 mi Β· 9h 19m by car Β· NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, CO 391 |
| Major cities en route | Lincoln, Greeley, Thornton, Aurora, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Omaha | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.911 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 76.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 94.063 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 86.404 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.1% cheaper overall in Omaha than Lakewood on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Omaha +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, OMAHA #1, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 488,197 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $72,708 |
| Median age | 38 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 25.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.44 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 13.1% lower in Omaha than Lakewood.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Omaha MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 58,590 | $42,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 45,020 | $30,130 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 43,680 | $35,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 41,730 | $39,370 |
| Management Occupations | 37,950 | $104,990 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Nebraska
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nebraska'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornado season peaks May through July β 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 Nebraska after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Omaha?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 542 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Omaha compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,189 in Omaha vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 48.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Omaha compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,580 in the Omaha MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 483,970 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Omaha more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Omaha is 13.1% lower than Lakewood (91.911 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Omaha?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,708 in Omaha vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 15.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Omaha, NE from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 542 mi and the route typically takes 9h 19m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Omaha, NE.