Moving from Fairfield, CA to Menifee, CA
It is a 464 mi drive, roughly 8h 54m, between Fairfield, CA and Menifee, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
464 mi · 8h 54m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 210 |
| 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 | Menifee | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 129.312 | 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
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Fairfield to Menifee — $609,269 vs $584,525 (2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Menifee -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Menifee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 11.7" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Menifee — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, ELSINORE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Menifee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 107,020 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $89,183 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 3.05 |
Households in Menifee earn about 1.9% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Menifee MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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 Menifee average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Menifee sees only 11.7 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Menifee?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 464 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Menifee more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Menifee is 1.9% lower than Fairfield (106.442 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Menifee?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $89,183 in Menifee vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 12.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Menifee compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Menifee MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Menifee compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $584,525 in Menifee vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 4.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Menifee?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Menifee vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (4.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 11.7 in vs 24.5 in.
How far is Menifee, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 464 mi and the route typically takes 8h 54m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Menifee, CA.