Moving from Fairfield, CA to Elk Grove, CA
The 54 mi from Fairfield to Elk Grove translate to about 1h 7m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
54 mi · 1h 7m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, CA 99, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Vallejo, Antioch, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Elk Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Elk Grove and Fairfield is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Fairfield and Elk Grove are within 5% of each other ($609,269 vs $637,450 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Elk Grove -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 18.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Fairfield (61.7°F) and Elk Grove (61.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 177,221 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $122,229 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 3.24 |
Income steps up 1.7%: $102,321 in Fairfield vs $122,229 in Elk Grove.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elk Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Elk Grove average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Elk Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 54 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Elk Grove compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Elk Grove more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elk Grove is 1.7% lower than Fairfield (106.67 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elk Grove, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 54 mi and the route typically takes 1h 7m via I 80 and CA 99. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Elk Grove compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $637,450 in Elk Grove vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 4.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Elk Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $122,229 in Elk Grove vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 19.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Elk Grove, CA.