Moving from Austin, TX to Fairfield, CA
Cross-country relocations like Austin, TX → Fairfield, CA cover 1771 mi and about 31h of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1771 mi · 31h by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Fairfield is 10.6% higher than Austin, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Fairfield is 10.6% above Austin ($609,269 vs $508,530 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 24.5" |
Climate cools by 8.3°F on the annual average — 70.0°F → 61.7°F.
Fairfield 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: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 3.16 |
Income steps up 10.6%: $91,461 in Austin vs $102,321 in Fairfield.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fairfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- 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 does household income compare in Austin vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $91,461 in Austin — a 11.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $508,530 in Austin — a 19.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Austin to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1771 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Austin and Fairfield?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Fairfield vs 70.0°F in Austin (8.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 24.5 in vs 36.3 in.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 10.6% higher than Austin (108.479 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 1771 mi and the route typically takes 31h via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · Fairfield, CA.