Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Rialto, CA
Relocating 1028 mi from Fort Collins to Rialto is a 18h drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1028 mi · 18h 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 | Greeley, Boulder, Thornton, Westminster, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.3% above Fort Collins — 101.128 → 106.442 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Fort Collins to Rialto — $563,815 vs $588,566 (2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Collins | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 9.9" |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.9°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: FT COLLINS, CO US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 3.87 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 (15.9°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 much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $563,815 in Fort Collins — a 4.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $83,598 in Fort Collins — a 2.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Rialto more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 5.3% higher than Fort Collins (106.442 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Fort Collins and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 50.7°F in Fort Collins (15.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 51.4 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 15.9 in.
How far is Rialto, CA from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1028 mi and the route typically takes 18h via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins 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 1028 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO · Rialto, CA.