Moving from Portland, OR to Lakewood, CO
It is 1248 mi between Portland and Lakewood — roughly 21h 32m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1248 mi · 21h 32m by car · OR → WA → ID → UT → WY → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → WA → ID → UT → WY → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Nampa, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.3% above Portland — $534,638 → $573,913 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Portland | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 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: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.26 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Oregon 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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 3.6 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
How far is Lakewood, CO from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 1248 mi and the route typically takes 21h 32m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Portland vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $88,792 in Portland — a 3.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 0.3% higher than Portland (105.782 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Portland and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 54.8°F in Portland (4.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 44.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $534,638 in Portland — a 7.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Portland 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 1248 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 Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR · Lakewood, CO.