Moving from Rialto, CA to Fort Collins, CO
It is 1028 mi between Rialto and Fort Collins — roughly 18h 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.
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
| Rialto | Fort Collins | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 101.128 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 82.156 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 120.592 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.0% cheaper overall in Fort Collins than Rialto on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Rialto to Fort Collins — $588,566 vs $563,815 (2026-03).
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Fort Collins -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rialto | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 51.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 15.9" |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.9°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 51.4 in of snowfall annually at Fort Collins.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, FT COLLINS, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Fort Collins |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 169,705 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $83,598 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 30.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 34.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.4 |
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 Fort Collins MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,130 | $46,140 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,060 | $39,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,830 | $35,050 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 12,630 | $79,180 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,170 | $84,720 |
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 — Fort Collins averages 51.4 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 (15.9°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 Fort Collins?
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.
What is the climate difference between Rialto and Fort Collins?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.7°F in Fort Collins vs 66.6°F in Rialto (15.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 51.4 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 9.9 in.
How far is Fort Collins, CO from Rialto, CA?
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 Fort Collins compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto MSA, on total employment of 173,230 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fort Collins more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Collins is 5.0% lower than Rialto (101.128 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs Fort Collins?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,598 in Fort Collins vs $85,521 in Rialto — a 2.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fort Collins compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $563,815 in Fort Collins vs $588,566 in Rialto — a 4.2% 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 · Fort Collins, CO.