Moving from Fairfield, CA to Cleveland, OH
It is 2413 mi and 41h 55m from Fairfield to Cleveland β a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2413 mi Β· 41h 55m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Joliet |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Cleveland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 93.923 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 95.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 79.434 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.4% cheaper overall in Cleveland than Fairfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Cleveland -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 33.3" |
Expect 9.4Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 367,523 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $39,187 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.18 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.4% β $102,321 β $39,187 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Cleveland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2413 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cleveland more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cleveland is 13.4% lower than Fairfield (93.923 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Cleveland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,187 in Cleveland vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 61.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Cleveland, OH from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2413 mi and the route typically takes 41h 55m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cleveland compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $115,537 in Cleveland vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 81.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA Β· Cleveland, OH.