Moving from Lakewood, CO to Palmdale, CA
A move from Lakewood, CO to Palmdale, CA covers 980 mi and around 17h 17m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
980 mi · 17h 17m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, CA 18 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Glendale, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Palmdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Palmdale is 7.4% higher than Lakewood, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Palmdale is 7.4% below Lakewood ($501,257 vs $573,913 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 7.3" |
Palmdale runs 13.2°F warmer on the annual average (50.4°F vs 63.6°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Palmdale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 38 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 3.56 |
Median household income in Palmdale is 7.4% below Lakewood ($85,789 → $81,151, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- 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 Palmdale average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 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 (13.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Palmdale more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale is 7.4% higher than Lakewood (113.566 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Palmdale, CA from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 980 mi and the route typically takes 17h 17m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 12.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 980 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 5.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Palmdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Palmdale vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (13.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 7.3 in vs 17.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO · Palmdale, CA.