Moving from Fairfield, CA to Denver, CO
The drive from Fairfield, CA to Denver, CO runs 1209 mi — about 20h 42m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1209 mi · 20h 42m by car · CO → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Denver | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Fairfield (108.479) and Denver (105.782) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Denver ZHVI at $539,666 is 2.5% below Fairfield at $609,269.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 15.4" |
Climate cools by 10.3°F on the annual average — 61.7°F → 51.4°F.
Heavy-snow city: expect 49.0 in of snowfall annually at Denver.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.17 |
Income steps down 2.5%: $102,321 in Fairfield vs $91,681 in Denver.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denver MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Denver averages 49.0 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.3°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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 10.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Denver compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Denver MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Denver more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver is 2.5% lower than Fairfield (105.782 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1209 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 11.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Denver, CO from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1209 mi and the route typically takes 20h 42m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Denver?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.4°F in Denver vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (10.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.4 in vs 24.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Denver, CO.