Moving from Meridian, ID to Lakewood, CO
A move from Meridian, ID to Lakewood, CO covers 832 mi and around 13h 60m of driving through 4 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.
832 mi · 13h 60m by car · CO → WY → UT → ID
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → UT → ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Arvada, Centennial, Aurora, Denver, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 98.391 in Meridian to 105.782 in Lakewood, a 7.5% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Lakewood at $573,913 is 7.5% above Meridian at $526,994.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Meridian | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 17.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 58.0 in of snowfall annually at Lakewood.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.26 |
Median household income in Lakewood is 7.5% below Meridian ($98,686 → $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 Idaho 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Lakewood averages 58.0 in annually vs 17.6 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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
Is Lakewood more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 7.5% higher than Meridian (105.782 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $98,686 in Meridian — a 13.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $526,994 in Meridian — a 8.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Meridian 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 832 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Meridian and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 53.2°F in Meridian (2.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 11.5 in.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 832 mi and the route typically takes 13h 60m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 4 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 Meridian.
City profiles: Meridian, ID · Lakewood, CO.