Moving from Toledo, OH to Lakewood, CO
The drive from Toledo, OH to Lakewood, CO runs 1236 mi β about 22h 6m 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.
1236 mi Β· 22h 6m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | South Bend, Chicago, Joliet, Naperville, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Toledo | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.455 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.285 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 67.317 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 15.7% pricier overall in Lakewood than Toledo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lakewood typical home at $573,913 is 15.7% above Toledo at $129,627 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Toledo +5.4%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Toledo | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 32.4" | 17.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 51.4Β°F vs 50.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Lakewood sees 58.0 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Toledo | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,461 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $47,532 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 15.7% between Toledo 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 Ohio 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 β 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 much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Toledo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $129,627 in Toledo β a 342.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Toledo, OH?
The driving distance is 1236 mi and the route typically takes 22h 6m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Toledo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $45,740 in the Toledo MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 290,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Toledo vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $47,532 in Toledo β a 80.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Toledo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 15.7% higher than Toledo (105.782 vs 91.455, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Toledo to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1236 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Toledo.
City profiles: Toledo, OH Β· Lakewood, CO.