Moving from Arvada, CO to Rialto, CA
A move from Arvada, CO to Rialto, CA covers 969 mi and around 16h 57m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
969 mi · 16h 57m by car · CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, I 15 ALT |
| Major cities en route | Thornton, Westminster, Boulder, Denver, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Rialto and Arvada are close on the overall BEA RPP (105.782 vs 106.442); 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: Arvada -2.5%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 9.9" |
NOAA normals show Rialto running 16.3°F above Arvada on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Rialto sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 3.87 |
Median household income in Rialto is 0.6% below Arvada ($113,396 vs $85,521, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rialto MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Rialto average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Rialto sees only 9.9 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Rialto, CA from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 969 mi and the route typically takes 16h 57m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 4.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Arvada and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 50.3°F in Arvada (16.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 17.1 in.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 24.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 969 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Rialto more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 0.6% higher than Arvada (106.442 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 1,590,330 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 Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · Rialto, CA.