Moving from Fairfield, CA to Modesto, CA
It is a 83 mi drive, roughly 1h 50m, between Fairfield, CA and Modesto, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
83 mi Β· 1h 50m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 12, CA 99, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Stockton, Elk Grove, Antioch, Concord, Vallejo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Modesto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 104.108 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 152.259 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 108.476 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Modesto -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 12.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Modesto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 218,614 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $77,899 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 13.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 3.02 |
Modesto households earn about 4.0% less than Fairfield at the median β $102,321 β $77,899 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Modesto MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,970 | $45,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,080 | $47,540 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 19,760 | $34,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,890 | $36,840 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 14,170 | $65,580 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- 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 Modesto average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Modesto sees only 12.3 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 β 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
How does the job market in Modesto compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,720 in the Modesto MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 192,020 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Modesto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,899 in Modesto vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 23.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Modesto more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Modesto is 4.0% lower than Fairfield (104.108 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 Modesto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 83 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Modesto compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $446,494 in Modesto vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 26.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Modesto, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 83 mi and the route typically takes 1h 50m via CA 12 and CA 99. 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 Β· Modesto, CA.