Moving from Fairfield, CA to Mobile, AL
It is 2334 mi and 41h 49m from Fairfield to Mobile β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2334 mi Β· 41h 49m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler, Dallas, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Mobile | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 88.098 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 84.185 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 60.116 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 18.8% moving from Fairfield to Mobile β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $609,269 in Fairfield to $194,564 in Mobile, a 18.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 60.5" |
Expect 7.4Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.39 |
Expect median household income to fall 18.8% β $102,321 β $51,090 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mobile MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,320 | $36,270 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 19,630 | $37,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,350 | $31,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,680 | $23,720 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,550 | $64,370 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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 Mobile average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Mobile averages 60.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Mobile compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 68.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Mobile, AL from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2334 mi and the route typically takes 41h 49m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Mobile compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 169,730 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2334 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Mobile more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 18.8% lower than Fairfield (88.098 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 50.1% lower 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· Mobile, AL.