Moving from Fairfield, CA to Newark, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Fairfield, CA → Newark, NJ cover 2851 mi and about 50h 1m of driving through 11 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.
2851 mi · 50h 1m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Jersey City, Yonkers, Elizabeth, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Newark | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Newark and Fairfield are close on the overall BEA RPP (108.479 vs 112.563); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Newark typical home at $478,455 is 3.8% under Fairfield at $609,269 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Newark -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 50.4" |
Climate cools by 6.9°F on the annual average — 61.7°F → 54.8°F.
Significant snow at the destination: Newark sees 28.2 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 307,188 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $48,416 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 12.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.7 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 3.8% between Fairfield and Newark (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Newark MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Newark averages 28.2 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Pack rain gear on top: Newark averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Newark, NJ from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2851 mi and the route typically takes 50h 1m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Newark?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2851 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Newark?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,416 in Newark vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 52.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Newark compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $478,455 in Newark vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 21.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Newark compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Newark MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Newark more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newark is 3.8% higher than Fairfield (112.563 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Newark?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Newark vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (6.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 24.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Newark, NJ.