Moving from Fairfield, CA to McKinney, TX
Cross-country relocations like Fairfield, CA β McKinney, TX cover 1734 mi and about 30h 51m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1734 mi Β· 30h 51m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Garland, Richardson, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
McKinney is 5.0% cheaper than Fairfield overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in McKinney is 5.0% below Fairfield β $609,269 vs $481,963 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Fairfield (61.7Β°F) and McKinney (64.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.86 |
Income steps up 5.0%: $102,321 in Fairfield vs $120,273 in McKinney.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McKinney MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 McKinney average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is McKinney, TX from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1734 mi and the route typically takes 30h 51m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 20.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McKinney more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 5.0% lower than Fairfield (103.09 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 McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1734 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 17.5% 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 Β· McKinney, TX.