Moving from Fairfield, CA to Rialto, CA
Relocating between Fairfield, CA and Rialto, CA is a 435 mi drive — 8h 16m 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.
435 mi · 8h 16m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Richmond, Concord, Antioch, Elk Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 108.479 vs 106.442 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $609,269 vs $588,566.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 9.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Fairfield (61.7°F) and Rialto (66.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Rialto gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 3.87 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.9% lower in Rialto than Fairfield.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rialto MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Rialto average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Rialto sees only 9.9 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
How far is Rialto, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 435 mi and the route typically takes 8h 16m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 435 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 Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 16.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Rialto compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 3.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Rialto more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 1.9% lower than Fairfield (106.442 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Rialto?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Rialto vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (4.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.9 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 · Rialto, CA.