Moving from Rialto, CA to Lakewood, CO
It is 966 mi between Rialto and Lakewood — roughly 16h 51m 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.
966 mi · 16h 51m 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 | Centennial, Denver, Aurora, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | Lakewood | 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 — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Rialto to Lakewood — $588,566 vs $573,913 (2026-03).
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rialto | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 21°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 17.5" |
Annual average temperature gap of 16.2°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 58.0 in of snowfall annually at Lakewood.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.26 |
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 Lakewood 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 — 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Lakewood averages 58.0 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (16.2°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
How far is Lakewood, CO from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 966 mi and the route typically takes 16h 51m 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 Rialto vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $85,521 in Rialto — a 0.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood 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.
When is the best time to move from Rialto to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 966 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Rialto and Lakewood?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Lakewood vs 66.6°F in Rialto (16.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 58.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.5 in vs 9.9 in.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood 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 much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $588,566 in Rialto — a 2.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA · Lakewood, CO.