Moving from Fairfield, CA to Richardson, TX
It is 1737 mi and 30h 49m from Fairfield to Richardson β a cross-country move across 4 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.
1737 mi Β· 30h 49m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 5 |
| 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 | Richardson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.0% moving from Fairfield to Richardson β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $609,269 in Fairfield to $440,400 in Richardson, a 5.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 41.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.7Β°F vs 65.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.6 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.0% lower in Richardson than Fairfield.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Richardson average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Richardson more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson is 5.0% lower than Fairfield (103.09 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 27.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1737 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 Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 5.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Richardson, TX from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1737 mi and the route typically takes 30h 49m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Richardson compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA Β· Richardson, TX.