Moving from Fairfield, CA to Concord, CA
The drive from Fairfield to Concord covers 30 mi in about 43 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
30 mi Β· 43 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 680, I 80, CA 12 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Oakland, Hayward, Berkeley, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Concord | 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 |
BEA RPP moves from 108.479 in Fairfield to 115.613 in Concord, a 6.6% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Concord: 6.6% above Fairfield on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Concord -3.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 16.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 124,260 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $109,195 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.72 |
Income steps up 6.6%: $102,321 in Fairfield vs $109,195 in Concord.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Concord 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 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 Concord more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Concord 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 Concord, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 30 mi and the route typically takes 43 min via I 680 and I 80. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Concord compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $742,769 in Concord vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 21.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Concord compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Concord 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.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Concord?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $109,195 in Concord vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 6.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Concord?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 30 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA Β· Concord, CA.