Moving from Reno, NV to Lakewood, CO
The drive from Reno, NV to Lakewood, CO runs 1046 mi — about 17h 36m 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.
1046 mi · 17h 36m by car · NV → UT → WY → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NV → UT → WY → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Sparks, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Fort Collins |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Reno | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.014 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.274 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.478 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Lakewood and Reno are close on the overall BEA RPP (101.014 vs 105.782); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Reno -0.4%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Reno | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 29.7" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.1" | 17.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 54.5°F vs 50.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Lakewood sees 58.0 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RENO WFO, NV US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Reno | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $78,448 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.26 |
Income steps up 4.7%: $78,448 in Reno vs $85,789 in Lakewood.
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 Nevada 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
- 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 — 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 — 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 29.7 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
When is the best time to move from Reno 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 1046 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Reno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $567,857 in Reno — a 1.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Reno, NV?
The driving distance is 1046 mi and the route typically takes 17h 36m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Reno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $47,540 in the Reno MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Reno vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $78,448 in Reno — a 9.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Reno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 4.7% higher than Reno (105.782 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Reno and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 54.5°F in Reno (4.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 29.7 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 8.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Reno.
City profiles: Reno, NV · Lakewood, CO.