Moving from New York, NY to Lakewood, CO
A 1794 mi cross-country move between New York and Lakewood is 32h 34m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1794 mi · 32h 34m by car · NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Yonkers, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New York | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.0% cheaper overall in Lakewood than New York on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: New York +4.5%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | New York | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 24.5" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.1" | 17.5" |
Annual temperature drops 5.1°F moving to Lakewood per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 58.0 in of snowfall annually at Lakewood.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NY AVE V BROOKLYN, NY US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New York | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $79,713 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 38 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.26 |
Households in Lakewood earn about 6.0% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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 York 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
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Lakewood averages 58.0 in annually vs 24.5 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
How does household income compare in New York vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $79,713 in New York — a 7.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to New York?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $812,861 in New York — a 29.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lakewood more expensive than New York?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 6.0% lower than New York (105.782 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Lakewood, CO from New York, NY?
The driving distance is 1794 mi and the route typically takes 32h 34m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to New York?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $59,390 in the New York MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from New York 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 1794 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between New York and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 55.5°F in New York (5.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 24.5 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 47.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from New York.
City profiles: New York, NY · Lakewood, CO.