Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Fairfield, CA
Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Fairfield, CA covers 297 mi and about 5h 34m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
297 mi Β· 5h 34m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 58, I 5, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | Modesto, Stockton, San Jose, Fremont, Santa Clara |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.5% pricier overall in Fairfield than Bakersfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fairfield typical home at $609,269 is 7.5% above Bakersfield at $396,047 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 24.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.1Β°F vs 61.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fairfield sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 3.16 |
Median household income in Fairfield is 7.5% above Bakersfield ($77,397 vs $102,321, ACS 5-year 2023).
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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- 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 β 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.
Frequently asked
Is Fairfield more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 7.5% higher than Bakersfield (108.479 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 297 mi and the route typically takes 5h 34m via CA 58 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 297 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 53.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 32.2% higher 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 Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Fairfield, CA.