Moving from Modesto, CA to Lakewood, CO
Relocating 1246 mi from Modesto to Lakewood is a 21h 23m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1246 mi Β· 21h 23m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, CA 99, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | Stockton, Elk Grove, Sacramento, Roseville, Reno |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Modesto and Lakewood 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
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $446,494 in Modesto to $573,913 in Lakewood, a 1.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 17.5" |
Expect 12.7Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Lakewood sees 58.0 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.26 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.6% higher in Lakewood than Modesto.
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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.7Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 does the job market in Lakewood compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 10.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 1.6% higher than Modesto (105.782 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 28.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1246 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 1246 mi and the route typically takes 21h 23m via I 80 and CA 99. The trip crosses 5 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 Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· Lakewood, CO.