Moving from Fairfield, CA to Pembroke Pines, FL
A 3043 mi cross-country move between Fairfield and Pembroke Pines is 54h 37m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
3043 mi Β· 54h 37m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β 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 | Miami, Hialeah, Hollywood, Miramar, Miami Gardens |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Pembroke Pines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.2% above Fairfield β 108.479 β 114.155 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Pembroke Pines -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Pembroke Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 62.0" |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.6Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, HOLLYWOOD NORTH PERRY AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Pembroke Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 170,557 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $81,675 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 43.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 23.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.67 |
Pembroke Pines households earn about 5.2% less than Fairfield at the median β $102,321 β $81,675 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pembroke Pines MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 Pembroke Pines 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: Pembroke Pines averages 62.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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.
- Register to vote in Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Pembroke Pines, FL from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 3043 mi and the route typically takes 54h 37m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pembroke Pines more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pembroke Pines is 5.2% higher than Fairfield (114.155 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Pembroke Pines compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Pembroke Pines MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 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 Pembroke Pines?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 3043 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Pembroke Pines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,675 in Pembroke Pines vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 20.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Pembroke Pines compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $487,422 in Pembroke Pines vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 20.0% 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· Pembroke Pines, FL.