Moving from Vancouver, WA to Lakewood, CO
It is 1250 mi between Vancouver and Lakewood β roughly 21h 36m 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.
1250 mi Β· 21h 36m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Portland, Gresham, Nampa, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Vancouver | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable β 105.421 vs 105.782 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.3% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Vancouver -0.7%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Vancouver | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 17.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Vancouver (54.0Β°F) and Lakewood (50.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Lakewood averages 58.0 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: VANCOUVER PEARSON AP, WA US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Vancouver | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,696 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $78,156 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.26 |
Households in Lakewood earn about 0.3% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β 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 β 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 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 far is Lakewood, CO from Vancouver, WA?
The driving distance is 1250 mi and the route typically takes 21h 36m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Vancouver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $509,318 in Vancouver β a 12.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Vancouver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $55,940 in the Vancouver 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.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Vancouver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 0.3% higher than Vancouver (105.782 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Vancouver to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1250 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Vancouver vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $78,156 in Vancouver β a 9.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Vancouver.
City profiles: Vancouver, WA Β· Lakewood, CO.