Moving from Lakewood, CO to Worcester, MA
Moving from Lakewood, CO to Worcester, MA is a 1950 mi cross-country relocation — about 35h 29m of driving through 10 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1950 mi · 35h 29m by car · MA → CT → NY → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | MA → CT → NY → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Springfield, Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven, Bridgeport |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Worcester | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 102.523 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 155.206 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 97.015 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 113.001 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Lakewood (105.782) and Worcester (102.523) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Worcester: 3.1% below Lakewood on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Worcester +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 72.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 48.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 72.9 in of snowfall annually at Worcester.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Worcester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 205,501 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $67,544 |
| Median age | 38 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Worcester is 3.1% below Lakewood ($85,789 vs $67,544, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Massachusetts
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Massachusetts'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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter 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
- Winter gear first: Worcester averages 72.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Massachusetts after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Worcester?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,544 in Worcester vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 21.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Worcester more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Worcester is 3.1% lower than Lakewood (102.523 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Worcester?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.1°F in Worcester vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (2.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 72.9 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 48.3 in vs 17.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Worcester compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $430,112 in Worcester vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 25.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Worcester?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1950 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Worcester, MA from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 1950 mi and the route typically takes 35h 29m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 10 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 · Worcester, MA.