Moving from Fairfield, CA to Omaha, NE
It is 1617 mi and 27h 17m from Fairfield to Omaha β a cross-country move across 5 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.
1617 mi Β· 27h 17m by car Β· NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 15, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | Lincoln, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Sparks |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Omaha | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 91.911 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 76.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 94.063 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 86.404 | 100.0 |
Expect about 15.3% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Omaha at 91.911 vs Fairfield at 108.479.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $609,269 to $294,189 moving to Omaha.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Omaha +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | β |
Expect 10.4Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, OMAHA #1, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 488,197 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $72,708 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 25.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.44 |
Expect median household income to fall 15.3% β $102,321 β $72,708 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Omaha MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 58,590 | $42,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 45,020 | $30,130 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 43,680 | $35,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 41,730 | $39,370 |
| Management Occupations | 37,950 | $104,990 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Nebraska
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nebraska'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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β 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 noticeably colder climate (10.4Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornado season peaks May through July β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Nebraska after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Omaha, NE from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1617 mi and the route typically takes 27h 17m via I 80 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Omaha?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,708 in Omaha vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 28.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Omaha more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Omaha is 15.3% lower than Fairfield (91.911 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Omaha compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,580 in the Omaha MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 483,970 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 Omaha?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1617 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 Omaha compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,189 in Omaha vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 51.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA Β· Omaha, NE.