Moving from Fairfield, CA to Goodyear, AZ
Relocating 752 mi from Fairfield to Goodyear is a 14h 13m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
752 mi · 14h 13m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Richmond, Concord, Antioch, Elk Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.8% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 7.4" |
Expect 12.2°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Goodyear — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.87 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 752 mi and the route typically takes 14h 13m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (12.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 24.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 23.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 0.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 752 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Goodyear more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 4.8% lower than Fairfield (103.316 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Goodyear, AZ.