Moving from Fairfield, CA to Philadelphia, PA
Cross-country relocations like Fairfield, CA → Philadelphia, PA cover 2828 mi and about 49h 27m of driving through 10 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.
2828 mi · 49h 27m by car · PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Philadelphia are 5.5% below Fairfield — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Philadelphia typical home at $231,815 is 5.5% under Fairfield at $609,269 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 50.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.7°F vs 57.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Philadelphia sees 16.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.5% between Fairfield and Philadelphia (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2828 mi and the route typically takes 49h 27m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 5.5% lower than Fairfield (102.554 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 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 Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (4.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 in vs 24.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 62.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 40.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2828 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 · Philadelphia, PA.