Moving from Lakewood, CO to Kansas City, KS
Relocating 604 mi from Lakewood to Kansas City is a 10h 20m drive through 2 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.
604 mi · 10h 20m by car · CO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, US 6 |
| Major cities en route | Arvada, Centennial, Westminster, Boulder, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Expect about 12.5% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Kansas City at 92.543 vs Lakewood at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $573,913 to $198,195 moving to Kansas City.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 38.1" |
Expect 6.5°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Kansas City averages 11.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 38 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.72 |
Expect median household income to fall 12.5% — $85,789 → $59,183 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Kansas City average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 65.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 12.5% lower than Lakewood (92.543 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (6.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 17.5 in.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 31.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 604 mi and the route typically takes 10h 20m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 604 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · Kansas City, KS.