Moving from Lakewood, CO to Dearborn, MI
Relocating 1269 mi from Lakewood to Dearborn is a 22h 37m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1269 mi · 22h 37m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Arvada, Boulder, Denver, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Dearborn | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.2% moving from Lakewood to Dearborn — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $573,913 in Lakewood to $245,068 in Dearborn, a 5.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 35.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.4°F vs 49.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Dearborn sees 30.8 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 38 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.97 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.2% — $85,789 → $65,192 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dearborn MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 224,810 | $45,600 |
| Production Occupations | 186,670 | $44,740 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 165,670 | $40,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 160,290 | $36,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,090 | $30,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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.
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Dearborn averages 30.8 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 Michigan after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Dearborn, MI from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 1269 mi and the route typically takes 22h 37m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 57.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Dearborn?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Dearborn vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (0.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 30.8 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 17.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Dearborn?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1269 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Dearborn more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 5.2% lower than Lakewood (100.298 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 24.0% lower 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 · Dearborn, MI.