Moving from Fairfield, CA to Santa Rosa, CA
It is a 50 mi drive, roughly 1h 16m, between Fairfield, CA and Santa Rosa, 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.
50 mi · 1h 16m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 12, I 80, CA 121 |
| Major cities en route | Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Concord, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Santa Rosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 107.784 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 154.777 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 139.569 | 100.0 |
Fairfield and Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa run about 0.6% pricier — ZHVI $609,269 → $718,726 (2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 82°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 31.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.7°F vs 59.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Rosa sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.6 |
Household income lines up — $102,321 vs $97,410 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Rosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,200 | $36,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 22,130 | $50,550 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,610 | $42,770 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,180 | $45,180 |
| Management Occupations | 14,030 | $119,330 |
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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Santa Rosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 50 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Santa Rosa more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 0.6% lower than Fairfield (107.784 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 4.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 206,310 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 Santa Rosa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.0°F in Santa Rosa vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (2.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 31.5 in vs 24.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Santa Rosa compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 18.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Santa Rosa, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 50 mi and the route typically takes 1h 16m via CA 12 and I 80. 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 · Santa Rosa, CA.