Moving from Lakewood, CO to Springfield, IL
The drive from Lakewood, CO to Springfield, IL runs 920 mi β about 16h 20m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
920 mi Β· 16h 20m by car Β· CO β KS β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β KS β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 36, MO 110 |
| Major cities en route | Arvada, Boulder, Centennial, Westminster, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Springfield is 12.3% cheaper than Lakewood overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Springfield is 12.3% below Lakewood β $573,913 vs $163,198 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 40.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Lakewood (50.4Β°F) and Springfield (52.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 38 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.24 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 12.3% between Lakewood and Springfield (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Springfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,330 | $41,140 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,250 | $78,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,240 | $29,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 9,100 | $79,530 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,150 | $33,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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.
Frequently asked
Is Springfield more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 12.3% lower than Lakewood (92.745 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 920 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 Springfield compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 71.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Springfield, IL from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 920 mi and the route typically takes 16h 20m via I 70 and US 36. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 23.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Springfield, IL.