Moving from Madison, WI to Lakewood, CO
It is 958 mi between Madison and Lakewood β roughly 17h 23m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
958 mi Β· 17h 23m by car Β· WI β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | WI β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 76, US 151 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Madison | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.287 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.825 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.748 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 8.7% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $423,767 to $573,913 moving to Lakewood.
YoY change: Madison +2.4%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Madison | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 17.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Madison (47.2Β°F) and Lakewood (50.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Lakewood averages 58.0 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, WI US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Madison | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $76,983 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.19 | 2.26 |
Households in Lakewood earn about 8.7% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lakewood 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 Wisconsin 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Lakewood averages 58.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 far is Lakewood, CO from Madison, WI?
The driving distance is 958 mi and the route typically takes 17h 23m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Madison to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 958 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 Madison vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $76,983 in Madison β a 11.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Madison?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $50,910 in the Madison MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 396,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Madison?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 8.7% higher than Madison (105.782 vs 97.287, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Madison?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $423,767 in Madison β a 35.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Madison.
City profiles: Madison, WI Β· Lakewood, CO.