Moving from Aurora, CO to Lakewood, CO
The drive from Aurora to Lakewood covers 30 mi in about 42 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
30 mi Β· 42 min by car Β· CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 6, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Westminster, Boulder |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | 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 |
Lakewood and Aurora are close on the overall BEA RPP (105.782 vs 105.782); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Lakewood typical home at $573,913 is 0.0% above Aurora at $463,081 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Aurora -4.3%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 17.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.8Β°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: CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $84,320 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.73 | 2.26 |
Household income lines up β $84,320 vs $85,789 on 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 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $84,320 in Aurora β a 1.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance is 30 mi and the route typically takes 42 min via I 70 and US 6. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $463,081 in Aurora β a 23.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 30 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $58,490 in the Aurora 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 Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, CO Β· Lakewood, CO.