Moving from Lakewood, CO to Goodyear, AZ
Relocating 846 mi from Lakewood to Goodyear is a 16h 17m drive through 3 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.
846 mi · 16h 17m by car · CO → UT → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → UT → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 191, US 160 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Aurora, Thornton, Centennial, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Lakewood and Goodyear 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
Homes in Goodyear run about 2.3% cheaper — ZHVI $573,913 → $469,424 (2026-03).
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 7.4" |
Annual average temperature jumps 23.5°F — 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 73.9°F in Goodyear, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Goodyear sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 38 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.87 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.3% higher in Goodyear than Lakewood.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (23.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 18.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 2.3% lower than Lakewood (103.316 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 Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 846 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (23.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 17.5 in.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 846 mi and the route typically takes 16h 17m via I 70 and US 191. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 18.2% lower 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 · Goodyear, AZ.