Moving from Palmdale, CA to Lakewood, CO
A move from Palmdale, CA to Lakewood, CO covers 980 mi and around 17h 17m of driving through 5 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.
980 mi · 17h 17m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, CA 18 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Glendale, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 105.782, putting Lakewood roughly 6.9% below Palmdale 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 6.9% above Palmdale at $501,257.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 17.5" |
Lakewood is 13.2°F cooler on the annual average (63.6°F vs 50.4°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Heavy-snow city: expect 58.0 in of snowfall annually at Lakewood.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.26 |
Median household income in Lakewood is 6.9% above Palmdale ($81,151 → $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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- 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 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.2°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 14.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 5.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (13.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 7.3 in.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 980 mi and the route typically takes 17h 17m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 6.9% lower than Palmdale (105.782 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale 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 980 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Lakewood, CO.