Moving from Centennial, CO to Fairfield, CA
It is 1221 mi between Centennial and Fairfield β roughly 20h 57m 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.
1221 mi Β· 20h 57m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Antioch, Richmond, Sacramento |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Centennial and Fairfield sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Fairfield run about 2.5% cheaper β ZHVI $649,086 β $609,269 (2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 24.5" |
Annual temperature rises 11.5Β°F moving to Fairfield per NOAA 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: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 3.16 |
Fairfield households earn about 2.5% less than Centennial at the median β $128,167 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 Colorado 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 (11.5Β°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
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 1221 mi and the route typically takes 20h 57m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 2.5% higher than Centennial (108.479 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 20.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1221 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 Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 6.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Fairfield, CA.