Moving from Lakewood, CO to Hillsboro, OR
Relocating 1266 mi from Lakewood to Hillsboro is a 22h drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1266 mi Β· 22h by car Β· CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Aurora, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Hillsboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.3% under Lakewood β $573,913 β $522,557 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Hillsboro -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Hillsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 35.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Hillsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 107,050 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $103,207 |
| Median age | 38 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 23.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.59 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.3% β $85,789 β $103,207 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hillsboro MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 141,870 | $47,870 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 104,880 | $44,260 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 99,580 | $34,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 96,250 | $41,260 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 92,520 | $79,400 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon'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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades β register for county emergency alerts.
- 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 Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Hillsboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1266 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Hillsboro more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hillsboro is 0.3% lower than Lakewood (105.421 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Hillsboro compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hillsboro compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $522,557 in Hillsboro vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 8.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hillsboro, OR from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 1266 mi and the route typically takes 22h via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Hillsboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,207 in Hillsboro vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 20.3% higher 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 Β· Hillsboro, OR.