Moving from Lakewood, CO to Pueblo, CO
It is a 118 mi drive, roughly 2h 11m, between Lakewood, CO and Pueblo, CO. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
118 mi Β· 2h 11m by car Β· CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, US 6, CO 391 |
| Major cities en route | Arvada, Boulder, Westminster, Thornton, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Pueblo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.762 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 81.933 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 71.285 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.3% cheaper overall in Pueblo than Lakewood on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Pueblo -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 13.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, WFO PUEBLO, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 111,514 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $55,305 |
| Median age | 38 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.42 |
Pueblo households earn about 13.3% less than Lakewood at the median β $85,789 β $55,305 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pueblo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 7,340 | $41,440 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 6,170 | $35,290 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 6,010 | $31,240 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 5,440 | $41,710 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 4,910 | $84,190 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Pueblo average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Pueblo sees only 13.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Pueblo, CO from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 118 mi and the route typically takes 2h 11m via I 25 and US 6. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pueblo more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pueblo is 13.3% lower than Lakewood (91.762 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Pueblo compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $283,603 in Pueblo vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 50.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Pueblo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 118 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Pueblo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,305 in Pueblo vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 35.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Pueblo compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,540 in the Pueblo MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 63,190 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Pueblo, CO.