Moving from Denver, CO to Rialto, CA
It is 980 mi between Denver and Rialto — roughly 17h 9m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
980 mi · 17h 9m by car · CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.6% above Denver — $539,666 → $588,566 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 9.9" |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.2°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Rialto — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 3.87 |
Households in Rialto earn about 0.6% less at the median — 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 (15.2°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 Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 980 mi and the route typically takes 17h 9m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $91,681 in Denver — a 6.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Denver 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 980 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 51.4°F in Denver (15.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 15.4 in.
Is Rialto more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 0.6% higher than Denver (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 Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver 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.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $539,666 in Denver — a 9.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Rialto, CA.