Moving from Westminster, CO to Lakewood, CO
It is a short 16 mi hop from Westminster, CO to Lakewood, CO — roughly 28 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
16 mi · 28 min by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CO 95, CO 391, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Arvada, Aurora, Denver, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Westminster | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 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 0.0% above Westminster — $527,654 → $573,913 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Westminster -3.3%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Westminster | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 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: NORTHGLENN, CO US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Westminster | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,546 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $96,145 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.26 |
Households in Lakewood earn about 0.0% less at the median — 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Westminster vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $96,145 in Westminster — a 10.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Westminster, CO?
The driving distance is 16 mi and the route typically takes 28 min via CO 95 and CO 391. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Westminster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $527,654 in Westminster — a 8.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Westminster 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 16 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Westminster and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 52.4°F in Westminster (2.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 14.5 in.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Westminster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $58,490 in the Westminster MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,590,330 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 Westminster.
City profiles: Westminster, CO · Lakewood, CO.