Moving from Fairfield, CA to San Bernardino, CA
It is a 446 mi drive, roughly 8h 19m, between Fairfield, CA and San Bernardino, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
446 mi · 8h 19m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 210, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | Moreno Valley, Victorville, Rialto, Riverside, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | San Bernardino | 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 |
Fairfield and San Bernardino sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in San Bernardino run about 1.9% cheaper — ZHVI $609,269 → $487,988 (2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, San Bernardino -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 12.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.7°F vs 65.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Bernardino sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, REDLANDS, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 221,774 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $63,988 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 9% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 3.51 |
San Bernardino households earn about 1.9% less than Fairfield at the median — $102,321 → $63,988 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: San Bernardino sees only 12.9 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
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and San Bernardino?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.2°F in San Bernardino vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (3.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.9 in vs 24.5 in.
How much do homes cost in San Bernardino compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $487,988 in San Bernardino vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 19.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to San Bernardino?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 446 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 San Bernardino?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,988 in San Bernardino vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 37.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in San Bernardino compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Bernardino is 1.9% lower than Fairfield (106.442 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Bernardino, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 446 mi and the route typically takes 8h 19m via I 5 and CA 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · San Bernardino, CA.