Moving from Fairfield, CA to Berkeley, CA
Relocating from Fairfield, CA to Berkeley, CA? The drive is 37 mi — about 47 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
37 mi · 47 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Hayward, San Mateo, Richmond, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Berkeley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.6% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $609,269 to $1,443,684 moving to Berkeley.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Berkeley -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 74°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 26.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Fairfield (61.7°F) and Berkeley (58.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Berkeley 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: FAIRFIELD, CA US, BERKELEY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 120,223 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $108,558 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 32.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 33.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.57 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.6% higher in Berkeley than Fairfield.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Berkeley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- 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.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Berkeley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.5°F in Berkeley vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (3.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 26.1 in vs 24.5 in.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Berkeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,558 in Berkeley vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 6.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Berkeley compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,443,684 in Berkeley vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 137.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Berkeley?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 37 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Berkeley compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Berkeley more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Berkeley is 6.6% higher than Fairfield (115.613 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Berkeley, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 37 mi and the route typically takes 47 min via I 80 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 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 Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Berkeley, CA.