Moving from Lakewood, CO to Rialto, CA
Relocating 966 mi from Lakewood to Rialto is a 16h 51m 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.
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
| Lakewood | 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 — 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 · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $573,913 vs $588,566.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 9.9" |
Expect 16.2°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Rialto gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 38 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 3.87 |
Median household incomes in Lakewood ($85,789) 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 — 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 (16.2°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 Lakewood, CO?
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.
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (16.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 in vs 17.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 2.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Rialto more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 0.6% higher than Lakewood (106.442 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood 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 966 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood 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 does household income compare in Lakewood vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 0.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO · Rialto, CA.