San Bernardino County · Inland Empire East · Q2 2026
Big-Box Distribution in Colton
Asking rent
$0.74–$0.93/SF/mo NNN
Sale pricing
$215–$290 per square foot
Inland Empire East vacancy
9.0%
Big-box distribution space in Colton, California typically asks $0.74–$0.93/SF/mo NNN and sells for roughly $215–$290 per square foot as of Q2 2026. Colton sits in Inland Empire East (San Bernardino County), where direct vacancy is about 9.0% and the sub-regional average asking rent is $0.94/SF/mo NNN. Pricing within that range is set by contiguous square footage, clear height of 36 feet and above, ESFR sprinklers, dock door count, trailer parking stalls, and proximity to the I-10, I-15, SR-60, and I-215 corridors.
By Dan Scodeller, Senior Vice President | Principal, Lee & Associates Last updated Data through Q2 2026
What are current market conditions for big-box distribution in Colton?
City-level industrial statistics are not published with the same rigor as sub-regional figures, so the table below shows Inland Empire East conditions — the best available proxy for Colton — alongside the Inland Empire overall. Use it to frame expectations, then get a building- or site-specific survey before making a decision.
| Metric | Inland Empire East | Inland Empire overall |
|---|---|---|
| Average asking rent (NNN) | $0.94/SF/mo | $0.98/SF/mo |
| Direct vacancy | 9.0% | 7.6% |
| Total vacancy (incl. sublease) | Tracked IE-wide | 8.6% |
| Availability rate | Tracked IE-wide | 12.9% |
| IOS cap rate (indicative) | Tracked IE-wide | ~6.5% |
| Market character | Softer and more affordable, driven by big-box construction | |
| Measure | Colton estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical asking rent | $0.74–$0.93/SF/mo NNN |
| Typical sale pricing | $215–$290 per square foot |
| Sub-region | Inland Empire East · $0.94/SF/mo NNN average |
| What sets pricing | contiguous square footage, clear height of 36 feet and above, ESFR sprinklers, dock door count, trailer parking stalls, and proximity to the I-10, I-15, SR-60, and I-215 corridors |
Runs below the Inland Empire East average of $0.94/SF/mo NNN — large blocks price at a discount per square foot.
Source: CBRE Q2 2026, Colliers Q1 2026, Kidder Mathews Q2 2026, Savills Q1 2026, Lee & Associates Mid-2026. Pricing estimates are derived from sub-regional averages and are directional only.
Why Colton for big-box distribution?
Central-East infill at the I-10/I-215 interchange; a logistics crossroads with strong IOS interest. For big-box distribution buildings specifically, that context matters: Colton is in San Bernardino County and prices against Inland Empire East conditions — currently 9.0% direct vacancy and $0.94/SF/mo NNN average asking rent.
On the east side of the Inland Empire, the trade is cost for distance. Inland Empire East runs 9.0% vacancy against 5.9% in the west, with asking rents about $0.17 per square foot per month lower. On 200,000 square feet that spread is roughly $408,000 a year — enough to fund a lot of extra drayage miles. The east side also absorbed most recent big-box construction, which means more modern product, larger contiguous blocks, and more negotiating leverage for tenants.
Typical users of big-box distribution buildings in Colton are national retailers, major third-party logistics providers, e-commerce fulfillment networks, and importers running regional consolidation out of the ports. Big-box generally means 200,000 square feet and larger, with the deepest institutional demand between 400,000 and 1,200,000 square feet.
What to check before you lease or buy big-box distribution in Colton
Large blocks are where the leverage is
Availability is concentrated in exactly this size range, which is why concessions on big-box are the most aggressive in the market. Free rent and improvement allowances on a large block are genuinely negotiable right now.
Trailer parking often decides the deal
Buildings of this size need stall counts that support live and drop operations. Two otherwise identical buildings can be far apart in real usability based on trailer stalls alone.
Sublease space competes with direct space
A meaningful share of available big-box is sublease, which is typically cheaper but comes with a shorter term and the sublandlord in the middle. Compare total occupancy cost over your actual required term, not headline rate.
Big-Box Distribution in Colton — frequently asked questions
How much does big-box distribution space cost in Colton, CA?
Big-box distribution space in Colton generally asks $0.74–$0.93/SF/mo NNN and sells for roughly $215–$290 per square foot as of Q2 2026. Runs below the Inland Empire East average of $0.94/SF/mo NNN — large blocks price at a discount per square foot. NNN means the tenant additionally pays taxes, insurance, and maintenance — typically $0.12 to $0.20 per square foot per month in the Inland Empire. Where a specific building falls in that range comes down to contiguous square footage, clear height of 36 feet and above, ESFR sprinklers, dock door count, trailer parking stalls, and proximity to the I-10, I-15, SR-60, and I-215 corridors.
Is there big-box distribution space available in Colton right now?
Yes. Inland Empire East, which includes Colton, is running about 9.0% direct vacancy as of Q2 2026, against 7.6% for the Inland Empire overall and 12.9% availability including space marketed but still occupied. That is meaningfully more choice than tenants had between 2021 and 2023, and landlords are offering real concessions — free rent, improvement allowances, and flexible terms. Availability in Colton specifically changes week to week, so a current survey beats any published figure.
Is Colton a good location for big-box distribution space?
Central-East infill at the I-10/I-215 interchange; a logistics crossroads with strong IOS interest. As part of Inland Empire East, Colton runs cheaper — about $0.94/SF/mo NNN against $1.11/SF/mo NNN in the west — with more available space and larger blocks. It fits operations serving the broader Southwest, where the extra miles to the ports matter less than occupancy cost. The honest answer for any specific requirement depends on your truck counts, headcount, power needs, and timing — which is exactly the conversation worth having before you tour anything.