Moving from Manchester, NH to Lakewood, CO
Moving from Manchester, NH to Lakewood, CO is a 2019 mi cross-country relocation — about 37h of driving through 11 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.
2019 mi · 37h by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA → NH
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA → NH |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Arvada, Westminster, Boulder, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Manchester | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.657 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.535 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.687 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 134.22 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Lakewood and Manchester is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Lakewood is 0.1% above Manchester — $435,334 vs $573,913 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Manchester +1.5%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Manchester | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 13°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 81°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 52.8" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 42.5" | 17.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Manchester (47.4°F) and Lakewood (50.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Lakewood averages 58.0 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MASSABESIC LAKE, NH US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Manchester | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $77,415 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 37.9 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.5% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.26 |
Median household income in Lakewood is 0.1% above Manchester ($77,415 → $85,789, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lakewood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Hampshire and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- I-93 through Franconia Notch sees heavy winter weather — check NH 511.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Lakewood averages 58.0 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Manchester to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2019 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Manchester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 0.1% higher than Manchester (105.782 vs 105.657, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Manchester and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 47.4°F in Manchester (3.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 52.8 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 42.5 in.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Manchester, NH?
The driving distance is 2019 mi and the route typically takes 37h via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Manchester vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $77,415 in Manchester — a 10.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Manchester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $435,334 in Manchester — a 31.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Manchester.
City profiles: Manchester, NH · Lakewood, CO.