Moving from Lakewood, CO to Toledo, OH
The drive from Lakewood, CO to Toledo, OH runs 1236 mi β about 22h 6m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1236 mi Β· 22h 6m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | South Bend, Chicago, Joliet, Naperville, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Toledo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.455 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 96.285 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 67.317 | 100.0 |
Toledo is 13.5% cheaper than Lakewood overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Toledo is 13.5% below Lakewood β $573,913 vs $129,627 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Toledo +5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 32.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Lakewood (50.4Β°F) and Toledo (51.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, TOLEDO METCALF FLD, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 268,461 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $47,532 |
| Median age | 38 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.27 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 13.5% between Lakewood and Toledo (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Toledo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,160 | $39,900 |
| Production Occupations | 31,420 | $45,220 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,850 | $41,570 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 27,870 | $28,590 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,710 | $32,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Toledo more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Toledo is 13.5% lower than Lakewood (91.455 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Toledo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1236 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Toledo compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,740 in the Toledo MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 290,070 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Toledo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $47,532 in Toledo vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 44.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Toledo compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $129,627 in Toledo vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 77.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Toledo, OH from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 1236 mi and the route typically takes 22h 6m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Toledo, OH.