Moving from Peoria, IL to Lakewood, CO
Relocating 940 mi from Peoria to Lakewood is a 16h 33m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
940 mi · 16h 33m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Arvada, Boulder, Westminster, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.9% above Peoria — 91.231 → 105.782 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.9% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 17.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 58.0 in of snowfall annually at Lakewood.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.26 |
Expect median household income to rise 15.9% — $58,716 → $85,789 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Illinois 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Lakewood averages 58.0 in annually vs 26.2 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 940 mi and the route typically takes 16h 33m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 940 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 46.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 15.9% higher than Peoria (105.782 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 345.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 52.7°F in Peoria (2.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 37.6 in.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, IL · Lakewood, CO.