Moving from Sparks, NV to Lakewood, CO
The drive from Sparks, NV to Lakewood, CO runs 1042 mi — about 17h 31m 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.
1042 mi · 17h 31m by car · CO → WY → UT → NV
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → UT → NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Arvada, Centennial, Denver, Aurora, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sparks | 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 Sparks 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
Zillow typical home value is 4.7% higher in Lakewood than Sparks as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Sparks -0.5%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sparks | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.8" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.4" | 17.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 53.5°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: SPARKS, NV US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sparks | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,106 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $86,979 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.64 | 2.26 |
Household income lines up — $86,979 vs $85,789 on 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 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
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
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 6.8 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
What is the climate difference between Sparks and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 53.5°F in Sparks (3.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 6.8 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 8.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Sparks 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 1042 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Sparks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $47,540 in the Sparks 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 much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Sparks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $529,283 in Sparks — a 8.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lakewood, CO from Sparks, NV?
The driving distance is 1042 mi and the route typically takes 17h 31m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Sparks vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $86,979 in Sparks — a 1.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Sparks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 4.7% higher than Sparks (105.782 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sparks.
City profiles: Sparks, NV · Lakewood, CO.