Moving from Lakewood, CO to San Mateo, CA
It is 1279 mi between Lakewood and San Mateo β roughly 22h 7m 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.
1279 mi Β· 22h 7m by car Β· CO β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Denver, Arvada, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.3% above Lakewood β 105.782 β 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.3% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 19.6" |
Annual temperature rises 8.3Β°F moving to San Mateo per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 38 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.6 |
San Mateo households earn about 9.3% more than Lakewood at the median β $85,789 β $152,669 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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 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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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 far is San Mateo, CA from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 1279 mi and the route typically takes 22h 7m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1279 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 78.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is San Mateo more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 9.3% higher than Lakewood (115.613 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 193.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 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· San Mateo, CA.