Moving from Brockton, MA to Lakewood, CO
Cross-country relocations like Brockton, MA → Lakewood, CO cover 2001 mi and about 36h 35m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2001 mi · 36h 35m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NY → CT → MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Arvada, Westminster, Boulder, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brockton | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Lakewood and Brockton is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Lakewood is 2.3% above Brockton ($573,913 vs $503,833 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Brockton +1.4%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Brockton | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 34.3" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.2" | 17.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Brockton (51.4°F) and Lakewood (50.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Lakewood averages 58.0 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BROCKTON, MA US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brockton | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $77,089 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.6% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.95 | 2.26 |
Income steps up 2.3%: $77,089 in Brockton vs $85,789 in Lakewood.
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 Massachusetts 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Lakewood averages 58.0 in annually vs 34.3 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Brockton, MA?
The driving distance is 2001 mi and the route typically takes 36h 35m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Brockton vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $77,089 in Brockton — a 11.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Brockton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $503,833 in Brockton — a 13.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Brockton 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 2001 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Brockton and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 51.4°F in Brockton (1.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 34.3 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 50.2 in.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Brockton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 2.3% lower than Brockton (105.782 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Brockton.
City profiles: Brockton, MA · Lakewood, CO.