Moving from Lakewood, CO to Cambridge, MA
Cross-country relocations like Lakewood, CO β Cambridge, MA cover 1985 mi and about 36h 13m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1985 mi Β· 36h 13m by car Β· CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Arvada, Westminster, Boulder, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Cambridge | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 108.266 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 148.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 99.651 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 148.424 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Lakewood (105.782) and Cambridge (108.266) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Cambridge: 2.3% above Lakewood on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Cambridge -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 49.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, JAMAICA PLAIN, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 117,794 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $126,469 |
| Median age | 38 | 30.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 29.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.38 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 2.3% between Lakewood and Cambridge (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Massachusetts
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Massachusetts'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
- 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Cambridge compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,041,569 in Cambridge vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 81.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Cambridge?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $126,469 in Cambridge vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 47.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Cambridge, MA from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 1985 mi and the route typically takes 36h 13m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Cambridge more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cambridge is 2.3% higher than Lakewood (108.266 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 Cambridge?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1985 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Cambridge, MA.