Moving from Lakewood, CO to Spokane Valley, WA
It is 1091 mi between Lakewood and Spokane Valley β roughly 18h 18m 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.
1091 mi Β· 18h 18m by car Β· CO β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 25, US 87 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Aurora, Arvada, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Spokane Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 100.346 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 91.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 105.028 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 97.059 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Spokane Valley at 100.346 vs Lakewood at 105.782.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $573,913 to $408,888 moving to Spokane Valley.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Spokane Valley +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 17.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Lakewood (50.4Β°F) and Spokane Valley (49.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 105,460 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $70,722 |
| Median age | 38 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.47 |
Households in Spokane Valley earn about 5.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Spokane Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,380 | $46,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,780 | $38,530 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,620 | $44,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,480 | $35,500 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,820 | $95,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during 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 east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Spokane Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,722 in Spokane Valley vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 17.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Spokane Valley more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane Valley is 5.1% lower than Lakewood (100.346 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Spokane Valley, WA from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 1091 mi and the route typically takes 18h 18m via I 90 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Spokane Valley compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 255,160 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Spokane Valley compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $408,888 in Spokane Valley vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 28.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Spokane Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1091 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Β· Spokane Valley, WA.