Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Lakewood, CO
Relocating 1013 mi from Garden Grove to Lakewood is a 17h 45m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1013 mi · 17h 45m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Torrance, Inglewood, Santa Ana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.9% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Lakewood at 105.782 vs Garden Grove at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.9% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,013,183 to $573,913 moving to Lakewood.
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Garden Grove | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 17.5" |
Expect 15.7°F colder on average per year — plan for heating load and winter gear.
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: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.26 |
Median household incomes in Garden Grove ($90,166) and Lakewood ($85,789) are within a few percent (ACS 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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Lakewood averages 58.0 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.7°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Garden Grove and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 66.1°F in Garden Grove (15.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 12.5 in.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $90,166 in Garden Grove — a 4.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove 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 1013 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 1013 mi and the route typically takes 17h 45m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove — a 43.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 6.9% lower than Garden Grove (105.782 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 6,185,570 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 Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA · Lakewood, CO.