Moving from Lakewood, CO to Phoenix, AZ
A move from Lakewood, CO to Phoenix, AZ covers 807 mi and around 15h 16m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
807 mi Β· 15h 16m by car Β· AZ β UT β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β UT β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 50, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Phoenix | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Phoenix and Lakewood is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Phoenix is 2.3% below Lakewood β $573,913 vs $410,169 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Phoenix -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 104Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 8.9" |
Phoenix runs 22.1Β°F warmer on the annual average (50.4Β°F vs 72.5Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, PHOENIX DEER VALLEY MUNI AP, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 1,624,832 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $77,041 |
| Median age | 38 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.7 |
Median household income in Phoenix is 2.3% below Lakewood ($85,789 β $77,041, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Phoenix 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 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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Phoenix average 104Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Phoenix sees only 8.9 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 (22.1Β°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 much do homes cost in Phoenix compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $410,169 in Phoenix vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 28.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Phoenix?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,041 in Phoenix vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 10.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Phoenix?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 807 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Phoenix more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Phoenix is 2.3% lower than Lakewood (103.316 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Phoenix, AZ from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 807 mi and the route typically takes 15h 16m via I 70 and US 50. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Phoenix compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Phoenix 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Phoenix, AZ.