Moving from Rialto, CA to Thornton, CO
It is 983 mi between Rialto and Thornton — roughly 17h 14m 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.
983 mi · 17h 14m 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 | Westminster, Boulder, Denver, Aurora, Centennial |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | Thornton | 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 comes in 0.6% under Rialto — $588,566 → $502,945 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Thornton -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rialto | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 14.5" |
Annual temperature drops 14.2°F moving to Thornton per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 44.8 in of snowfall annually at Thornton.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 142,878 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $100,985 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.88 |
Households in Thornton earn about 0.6% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Thornton 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 — Thornton averages 44.8 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Thornton average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Thornton sees only 14.5 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 colder climate (14.2°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 Thornton, CO from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 983 mi and the route typically takes 17h 14m 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 Thornton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,985 in Thornton vs $85,521 in Rialto — a 18.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Thornton more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thornton is 0.6% lower than Rialto (105.782 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Rialto and Thornton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Thornton vs 66.6°F in Rialto (14.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 9.9 in.
How much do homes cost in Thornton compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $502,945 in Thornton vs $588,566 in Rialto — a 14.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Thornton compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Thornton 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 Thornton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 983 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA · Thornton, CO.