Moving from Lakewood, CO to Riverside, CA
It is 980 mi between Lakewood and Riverside — roughly 17h 4m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
980 mi · 17h 4m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Irvine, Ontario, Corona, Pomona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Riverside | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.6% above Lakewood — $573,913 → $646,784 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 10.0" |
Annual average temperature gap of 16.5°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Riverside — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 38 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 3.42 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Riverside MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 — 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 Riverside average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 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 (16.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 12.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 980 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Riverside more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside is 0.6% higher than Lakewood (106.442 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 3.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Riverside, CA from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 980 mi and the route typically takes 17h 4m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Riverside?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.9°F in Riverside vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (16.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 10.0 in vs 17.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO · Riverside, CA.