Moving from Aurora, CO to Rialto, CA
It is 991 mi between Aurora and Rialto β roughly 17h 21m 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.
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
| Aurora | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable β 105.782 vs 106.442 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.6% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $463,081 to $588,566 moving to Rialto.
YoY change: Aurora -4.3%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 9.9" |
Expect 15.8Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Rialto gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $84,320 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.73 | 3.87 |
Median household incomes in Aurora ($84,320) and Rialto ($85,521) are within a few percent (ACS 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 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 Rialto average 94Β°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 (15.8Β°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 β 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 does the job market in Rialto compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $58,490 in the Aurora 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 far is Rialto, CA from Aurora, CO?
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.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $463,081 in Aurora β a 27.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Rialto?
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 does household income compare in Aurora vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $84,320 in Aurora β a 1.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Rialto more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 0.6% higher than Aurora (106.442 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, CO Β· Rialto, CA.