Moving from Kansas City, KS to Lakewood, CO
It is 604 mi between Kansas City and Lakewood — roughly 10h 20m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
604 mi · 10h 20m by car · CO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, US 6 |
| Major cities en route | Arvada, Centennial, Westminster, Boulder, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Lakewood runs about 14.3% more expensive overall than Kansas City — RPP 92.543 → 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $198,195 in Kansas City to $573,913 in Lakewood, a 14.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 17.5" |
Annual temperature drops 6.5°F moving to Lakewood per NOAA 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: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 34 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.26 |
Lakewood households earn about 14.3% more than Kansas City at the median — $59,183 → $85,789 on 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 Kansas 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.
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 11.0 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
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (6.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 38.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $198,195 in Kansas City — a 189.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City 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 604 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $59,183 in Kansas City — a 45.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 604 mi and the route typically takes 10h 20m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 14.3% higher than Kansas City (105.782 vs 92.543, 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 Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS · Lakewood, CO.