Moving from Lakewood, CO to Arvada, CO
It is a short 12 mi hop from Lakewood, CO to Arvada, CO — roughly 24 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.
12 mi · 24 min by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CO 391, CR 172 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Aurora, Denver, Thornton, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.0% above Lakewood — $573,913 → $616,566 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 17.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 75.5 in of snowfall annually at Arvada.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 38 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.47 |
Arvada households earn about 0.0% more than Lakewood at the median — $85,789 → $113,396 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arvada 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: Arvada averages 75.5 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
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Arvada?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 12 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Arvada, CO from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 12 mi and the route typically takes 24 min via CO 391 and CR 172. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 7.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (0.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 17.5 in.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 32.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO · Arvada, CO.