Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Fairfield, CA
A 1868 mi cross-country move between Cedar Rapids and Fairfield is 32h 1m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1868 mi Β· 32h 1m by car Β· IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Salt Lake City, West Valley City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 88.963 in Cedar Rapids to 108.479 in Fairfield, putting overall prices 21.9% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 21.9% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $204,112 to $609,269 moving to Fairfield.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 24.5" |
Annual temperature rises 13.4Β°F moving to Fairfield per NOAA normals.
Fairfield gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 3.16 |
Fairfield households earn about 21.9% more than Cedar Rapids at the median β $67,859 β $102,321 on ACS 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.
Moving between Iowa 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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-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 noticeably warmer climate (13.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1868 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 21.9% higher than Cedar Rapids (108.479 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 50.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 198.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 1868 mi and the route typically takes 32h 1m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· Fairfield, CA.