Moving from Lowell, MA to Denver, CO
A 1983 mi cross-country move between Lowell and Denver is 36h 11m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1983 mi Β· 36h 11m by car Β· CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lowell | Denver | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Lowell and Denver sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Denver run about 2.3% pricier β ZHVI $480,319 β $539,666 (2026-03).
YoY change: Lowell +0.4%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lowell | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.5" | 15.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 49.0Β°F vs 51.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Denver sees 49.0 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWELL, MA US, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lowell | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $76,205 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.17 |
Denver households earn about 2.3% more than Lowell at the median β $76,205 β $91,681 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denver MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Massachusetts and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Denver averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Lowell?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $480,319 in Lowell β a 12.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lowell to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1983 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Denver more expensive than Lowell?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver is 2.3% lower than Lowell (105.782 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lowell vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $76,205 in Lowell β a 20.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Denver, CO from Lowell, MA?
The driving distance is 1983 mi and the route typically takes 36h 11m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 10 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 Lowell.
City profiles: Lowell, MA Β· Denver, CO.