Moving from Seattle, WA to Lakewood, CO
The drive from Seattle, WA to Lakewood, CO runs 1311 mi — about 22h 50m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1311 mi · 22h 50m by car · WA → OR → ID → UT → WY → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → OR → ID → UT → WY → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Lakewood and Seattle is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Lakewood is 4.8% below Seattle — $868,680 vs $573,913 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 17.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Seattle (53.2°F) and Lakewood (50.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Lakewood averages 58.0 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 4.8% between Seattle and Lakewood (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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- 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 3.8 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
When is the best time to move from Seattle 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 1311 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 33.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 29.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 4.8% lower than Seattle (105.782 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 1311 mi and the route typically takes 22h 50m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 53.2°F in Seattle (2.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 37.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Lakewood, CO.