Moving from Boulder, CO to Lakewood, CO
It is a short 31 mi hop from Boulder, CO to Lakewood, CO — roughly 47 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.
31 mi · 47 min by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 36, CO 391, CO 95 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Arvada, Denver, Aurora, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Boulder and Lakewood sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $964,531 in Boulder to $573,913 in Lakewood, a 0.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boulder | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 17.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 51.5°F vs 50.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Lakewood sees 58.0 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.26 |
Household income lines up — $85,364 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 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 the job market in Lakewood compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 0.6% higher than Boulder (105.782 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 31 mi and the route typically takes 47 min via US 36 and CO 391. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Boulder and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 51.5°F in Boulder (1.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 92.8 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 21.2 in.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $85,364 in Boulder — a 0.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $964,531 in Boulder — a 40.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Boulder 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 31 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO · Lakewood, CO.