Moving from Rochester, MN to Lakewood, CO
A move from Rochester, MN to Lakewood, CO covers 887 mi and around 15h 36m 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.
887 mi · 15h 36m by car · CO → NE → IA → MN
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Arvada, Boulder, Westminster, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 90.821 in Rochester to 105.782 in Lakewood, a 16.5% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Lakewood: 16.5% above Rochester on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 17.5" |
Lakewood runs 5.6°F warmer on the annual average (44.8°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: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 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 Minnesota 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-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 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
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 2.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 69.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 44.8°F in Rochester (5.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 34.7 in.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 887 mi and the route typically takes 15h 36m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 16.5% higher than Rochester (105.782 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Rochester 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 887 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 Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · Lakewood, CO.