Moving from Lakewood, CO to Albuquerque, NM
It is a 453 mi drive, roughly 7h 55m, between Lakewood, CO and Albuquerque, NM. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
453 mi Β· 7h 55m by car Β· NM β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NM β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, US 24, US 6 |
| Major cities en route | Rio Rancho, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Centennial, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Albuquerque | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 95.546 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 77.852 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.144 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 89.153 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.7% cheaper overall in Albuquerque than Lakewood on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Albuquerque +0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | β |
Annual temperature rises 6.3Β°F moving to Albuquerque per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, RIO GRANDE NATURE CTR, NM US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Albuquerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 562,488 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $65,604 |
| Median age | 38 | 38.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 20.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.32 |
Albuquerque households earn about 9.7% less than Lakewood at the median β $85,789 β $65,604 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Albuquerque MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,500 | $39,300 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 36,930 | $28,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 33,230 | $33,280 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 28,010 | $38,960 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 26,950 | $81,890 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and New Mexico
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Mexico'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Albuquerque average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 New Mexico after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Albuquerque, NM from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 453 mi and the route typically takes 7h 55m via I 25 and US 24. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Albuquerque compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $344,457 in Albuquerque vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 40.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Albuquerque?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,604 in Albuquerque vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 23.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Albuquerque more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Albuquerque is 9.7% lower than Lakewood (95.546 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Albuquerque?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 453 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 Albuquerque compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,780 in the Albuquerque MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 396,030 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 Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Albuquerque, NM.