Moving from Fairfield, CA to Dearborn, MI
It is 2344 mi and 40h 35m from Fairfield to Dearborn — 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.
2344 mi · 40h 35m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 94, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Antioch, Richmond, Sacramento |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Dearborn | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.5% moving from Fairfield to Dearborn — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $609,269 in Fairfield to $245,068 in Dearborn, a 7.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 35.1" |
Expect 12.2°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Dearborn sees 30.8 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.97 |
Expect median household income to fall 7.5% — $102,321 → $65,192 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dearborn MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 224,810 | $45,600 |
| Production Occupations | 186,670 | $44,740 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 165,670 | $40,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 160,290 | $36,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,090 | $30,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- 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 — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Dearborn averages 30.8 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.2°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Michigan after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Dearborn, MI from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2344 mi and the route typically takes 40h 35m via I 80 and I 94. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 59.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 36.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Dearborn?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Dearborn vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (12.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 30.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 24.5 in.
How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Dearborn?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2344 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Dearborn more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 7.5% lower than Fairfield (100.298 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Dearborn, MI.