Moving from Rialto, CA to Aurora, CO
Relocating 991 mi from Rialto to Aurora is a 17h 21m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
991 mi Β· 17h 21m by car Β· CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Denver, Thornton, Westminster, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Aurora -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rialto | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | β |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.8Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 390,201 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $84,320 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.73 |
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 Aurora 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 California 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 β 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 Aurora average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.8Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Rialto to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 991 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $463,081 in Aurora vs $588,566 in Rialto β a 21.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Aurora MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Aurora more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 0.6% lower than Rialto (105.782 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,320 in Aurora vs $85,521 in Rialto β a 1.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Aurora, CO from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 991 mi and the route typically takes 17h 21m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA Β· Aurora, CO.