Moving from Fairfield, CA to Pasadena, CA
Relocating between Fairfield, CA and Pasadena, CA is a 396 mi drive — 7h 22m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
396 mi · 7h 22m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 680, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Garden Grove, Pomona, Fullerton, Downey, West Covina |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 170.433 | 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
4.7% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 20.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Pasadena — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.39 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pasadena MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- 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
Is Pasadena more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 4.7% higher than Fairfield (113.566 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 396 mi and the route typically takes 7h 22m via I 5 and I 680. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (4.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 24.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 98.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 1.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 396 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Pasadena, CA.