Moving to Lakewood, Colorado gets you a city of about 157,000 people right on Denver's west edge, with the foothills, W Line light rail, and Jeffco Public Schools, at housing costs similar to or a little below Denver. A typical home runs roughly $550,000 to $585,000 and one-bedroom rents commonly land around $1,400 to $1,800 a month. A local move into Lakewood with our crew starts at $449 for a studio plus a flat $99 travel fee.
We've been moving families in and out of Lakewood since 2010, from Belmar apartments to split-levels on Green Mountain. This guide covers the neighborhoods, what things actually cost, the commute, schools and parks, and what moving day looks like on the ground. If you'd rather talk it through, call us anytime at (720) 241-3615.
1. Why People Are Moving to Lakewood
People move to Lakewood because it sits between downtown Denver and the mountains without Denver's density or price tag. It's the largest city in Jefferson County and one of the five biggest in Colorado, with roughly 157,000 residents spread across about 44 square miles. The city only incorporated in 1969, so much of it grew up as postwar and 1970s suburbs, with a newer mixed-use core at Belmar.
The job base is steadier than a lot of suburbs. The Denver Federal Center is the city's largest employer with about 8,000 workers, followed by Jeffco Public Schools, the State of Colorado, St. Anthony Hospital, and Terumo BCT. Colorado Christian University and Red Rocks Community College are both here too.
The other draw is the backyard. Green Mountain rises to about 6,850 feet on the west side of town, Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a short drive away in Morrison, and US 6 and I-70 put you on the road to the high country fast. Lakewood sits at about 5,650 feet, a little higher than Denver, so give yourself a week or two to adjust if you're coming from sea level.
2. The Best Neighborhoods in Lakewood, CO
The best neighborhood in Lakewood depends on whether you want walkability, a yard, a train, or trails. Here's how we'd sum up the areas we move people into most.
Belmar: Lakewood's downtown, built starting in 2004 on the old Villa Italia mall site near Wadsworth and Alameda. It covers about 22 blocks of shops, restaurants, offices, apartments, and townhomes. It's the closest thing Lakewood has to city living, and it draws young professionals and downsizers.
Green Mountain: The west side of town, wrapped around William F. Hayden Park. Expect single-family homes, many of them ranches and split-levels, plus townhomes, quiet streets, and mountain views. It's a favorite for families and anyone who wants to hike or mountain bike from the front door.
Southwest Lakewood and Bear Creek: The area near Bear Creek Lake Park, Morrison Road, and C-470 has a mix of newer subdivisions, townhomes, and apartments. C-470 makes it an easy commute south toward Littleton and the Tech Center.
The W Line corridor: Neighborhoods between 6th Avenue and Colfax near the Lamar, Wadsworth, Garrison, and Oak stations, including Two Creeks and Eiber, have older, more affordable homes and new apartments near the stations. If you work downtown and want to skip I-25 and 6th Avenue traffic, start here.
Comparing Lakewood with other west and south suburbs? Our best Denver suburbs for families guide covers Arvada, Littleton, and more side by side.
3. Cost of Living in Lakewood
The cost of living in Lakewood is close to Denver's, with rent often a little lower and home prices in the same range. Housing is where most of your budget goes. These are the ranges we see in mid-2026 market data, and they shift by neighborhood and month.
| Housing type | Typical Lakewood range (mid-2026) |
|---|---|
| Typical home value | About $550,000 to $585,000 |
| One-bedroom apartment | About $1,400 to $1,800 a month |
| Two-bedroom apartment | About $1,700 to $2,000 a month |
| Rented single-family house | Often $2,500 a month and up |
Belmar apartments and newer townhomes sit at the top of those rent ranges, while older complexes along Colfax and near the W Line usually come in lower. Green Mountain and southwest Lakewood homes generally price above the city median. Budget for utilities, car insurance, and HOA dues if you're buying a townhome, and check current listings before you sign, since the market moves.
4. Commute, the W Line, and Highways
Lakewood is one of the easiest Denver suburbs to commute from, because it touches Denver directly and has its own light rail line. Central Lakewood is only about 7 to 10 miles from downtown.
- W Line light rail: opened in 2013 and runs about 12 miles from Union Station to the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden, with stops in Lakewood including Lamar, Wadsworth, Garrison, Oak, Federal Center, and Red Rocks College
- 6th Avenue (US 6): the main east-west freeway, straight into Denver one way and toward Golden and I-70 the other
- C-470: the southern bypass toward Littleton, Highlands Ranch, and the Tech Center
- Wadsworth Boulevard and Kipling Street: the main north-south arteries through town
- Colfax Avenue (US 40) and Hampden Avenue (US 285): the other big east-west routes on the north and south ends
Outside the W Line corridor, Lakewood is car-first. If you work in Denver, drive 6th Avenue at rush hour before you sign a lease. If you work in Golden or at the Federal Center, Lakewood puts you minutes away.
5. Schools, Parks, and Open Space
Lakewood is served by Jeffco Public Schools, and it has some of the best park access in the metro. Jeffco, officially Jefferson County School District R-1, is one of the largest districts in Colorado and offers open enrollment plus option and charter schools. Confirm your neighborhood school by exact address, and check enrollment windows early if you're moving mid-year.
- Bear Creek Lake Park: about 2,600 acres of trails, fishing, paddling, and camping off Morrison Road
- William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain: open space with trails and wide views of Denver and the foothills
- Belmar Park: lake views, a walking loop, and the Lakewood Heritage Center next door
- Quick drives to Red Rocks, Dinosaur Ridge, and the trailheads above Morrison and Golden
New to Colorado? You have 30 days to get a Colorado driver license and 90 days to register your vehicle. Lakewood residents handle that through Jefferson County, and our moving to Denver guide walks through the rest of the new-resident checklist.
6. What Lakewood Moves Look Like for Our Crews
Lakewood moves are usually straightforward, but the housing stock creates a few predictable challenges. Here's what we plan for.
- Split-levels on Green Mountain: short stair runs between every level add carry time, so we bring an extra set of hands for bigger homes
- Steep driveways and hillside lots: we park and ramp carefully, especially in winter when driveways ice over
- Belmar apartments and condos: elevator reservations, loading zones, and move-in windows set by building management
- Townhome HOAs: rules on truck parking, move hours, and common-area protection
- Older homes near Colfax and the W Line: narrower doorways and basement stairs that may require furniture disassembly
Tell us about stairs, elevators, and HOA rules when you book and we'll staff the move to match. Our moving day checklist covers the rest of the prep.
7. What a Lakewood Move Costs
A local move into Lakewood with Exquisite Logistics Moving starts at $449 for a studio and $949 for a three-bedroom, plus a flat $99 travel fee. That travel fee covers the first 15 miles, which handles most moves between Denver and Lakewood, and after that it's $1.50 a mile.
- Studio: $449 with 2 movers and 2 hours included
- 1-bedroom: $599 with 2 movers and 3 hours included
- 2-bedroom: $749 with 3 movers and 3 hours included
- 3-bedroom: $949 with 3 movers and 4 hours included
- 4+ bedrooms: custom quote based on your inventory
- Extra time: $165 an hour for a 2-mover crew or $225 an hour for a 3-mover crew
Common add-ons include full packing for $150, partial packing for $75, furniture disassembly for $100, and a washer and dryer pair for $89. See our local moving service, the Lakewood movers page, or our Denver moving cost guide for the full breakdown, or check our pricing page.
Ready to lock in a date? Book online in a couple of minutes, or call us at (720) 241-3615. A flat $50 deposit holds your date, and the balance is due on move day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakewood, CO a good place to live?
For most people we move there, yes. Lakewood gives you quick access to Denver and the foothills, more than 2,600 acres of open space at Bear Creek Lake Park alone, W Line light rail, and Jeffco Public Schools, at rents and home prices that are similar to or a bit below Denver. The trade-off is that it is a spread-out, car-friendly city, so where you live inside Lakewood matters a lot.
What are the best neighborhoods in Lakewood, CO?
It depends on what you want. Belmar suits people who want walkable shopping and apartments or townhomes. Green Mountain suits families and hikers who want single-family homes near William F. Hayden Park. Southwest Lakewood near Bear Creek Lake Park and C-470 suits people who want newer homes and easy foothills access. The neighborhoods along the W Line, near the Wadsworth, Garrison, and Oak stations, suit commuters who work downtown.
What is the cost of living in Lakewood, CO?
Housing is the big number. As of mid-2026, a typical Lakewood home is valued at roughly $550,000 to $585,000 depending on the index, and one-bedroom apartments commonly rent for about $1,400 to $1,800 a month, with two-bedrooms near $1,700 to $2,000. That puts Lakewood close to Denver, often slightly cheaper for rent. Check current listings before you budget, since prices move.
What school district serves Lakewood, CO?
Lakewood is served by Jeffco Public Schools, officially Jefferson County School District R-1, one of the largest districts in Colorado. Jeffco also offers open enrollment and a range of option and charter schools, so confirm your neighborhood school by exact address and check enrollment windows early if you are moving with kids.
How much do movers cost to move to Lakewood, CO?
With Exquisite Logistics Moving, a local move into Lakewood starts at $449 for a studio, $599 for a one-bedroom, $749 for a two-bedroom, and $949 for a three-bedroom, plus a flat $99 travel fee that covers the first 15 miles. Most Denver to Lakewood moves fall inside those 15 miles. A $50 deposit holds your date and the balance is due on move day.
How long does it take to get from Lakewood to downtown Denver?
Lakewood borders Denver on the west, so central Lakewood is only about 7 to 10 miles from downtown. By car, 6th Avenue (US 6) is the main straight shot east, and traffic decides the rest. By train, the W Line runs from the Federal Center and Wadsworth area straight to Union Station without a transfer.
Settling Into Lakewood
Lakewood is a practical choice: close to Denver, close to the mountains, served by Jeffco schools, and priced in line with the rest of the metro. Pick your neighborhood by commute and lifestyle first, then shop homes inside it. We've completed more than 7,000 moves since 2010, and our family-run crews know the split-levels, the Belmar loading zones, and the HOA rules around town.
Ready to move? Give us a call at (720) 241-3615 or book your move online. We lock in your date with just a $50 deposit and our team handles the rest.
