Moving from Lakewood, CO to Centennial, CO
It is a short 21 mi hop from Lakewood, CO to Centennial, CO β roughly 31 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.
21 mi Β· 31 min by car Β· CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, US 6, CO 391 |
| Major cities en route | Arvada, Boulder, Westminster, Thornton, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Centennial | 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 |
Lakewood and Centennial sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Centennial run about 0.0% pricier β ZHVI $573,913 β $649,086 (2026-03).
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 15.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.4Β°F vs 50.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 38 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.59 |
Centennial households earn about 0.0% more than Lakewood at the median β $85,789 β $128,167 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Centennial 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 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 21 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Centennial, CO from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 21 mi and the route typically takes 31 min via I 25 and US 6. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 49.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial 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.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 13.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Centennial, CO.