Moving from Lakewood, CO to Aurora, IL
It is 975 mi between Lakewood and Aurora — roughly 17h 14m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
975 mi · 17h 14m by car · IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 80, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Rockford, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Lakewood and Aurora sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $573,913 in Lakewood to $316,958 in Aurora, a 2.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 39.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.4°F vs 50.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Aurora sees 27.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 38 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.98 |
Households in Aurora earn about 2.1% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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
- Winter gear first: Aurora averages 27.9 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.
- Register to vote in Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 5.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (0.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 17.5 in.
Is Aurora more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 2.1% lower than Lakewood (103.595 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Aurora, IL from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 975 mi and the route typically takes 17h 14m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 975 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 44.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 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 · Aurora, IL.