Moving from Fairfield, CA to Richmond, VA
A 2831 mi cross-country move between Fairfield and Richmond is 49h 58m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2831 mi · 49h 58m by car · VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Evansville, St Louis, Columbia, Kansas City, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 97.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 89.221 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.773 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 99.136 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.8% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Richmond at 97.858 vs Fairfield at 108.479.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.8% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $609,269 to $369,646 moving to Richmond.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Richmond +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 29°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 8.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 45.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Fairfield (61.7°F) and Richmond (58.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Richmond averages 8.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 227,595 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $62,671 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 26% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.23 |
Richmond households earn about 9.8% less than Fairfield at the median — $102,321 → $62,671 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,810 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 61,000 | $36,060 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 58,830 | $43,620 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,620 | $78,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 50,860 | $30,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,671 in Richmond vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 38.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,646 in Richmond vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 39.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.9°F in Richmond vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (2.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 8.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 45.5 in vs 24.5 in.
Is Richmond more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 9.8% lower than Fairfield (97.858 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Richmond, VA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2831 mi and the route typically takes 49h 58m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2831 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,470 in the Richmond MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 647,440 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 · Richmond, VA.