Moving from Fairfield, CA to Westminster, CO
Relocating 1200 mi from Fairfield to Westminster is a 20h 30m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1200 mi · 20h 30m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Antioch, Richmond, Sacramento |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Westminster | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 108.479 vs 105.782 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
Expect around 2.5% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Westminster -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 14.5" |
Expect 9.3°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Westminster averages 44.8 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 115,546 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $96,145 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 29.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.41 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.5% lower in Westminster than Fairfield.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Westminster MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Westminster averages 44.8 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Westminster average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Westminster sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Westminster compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Westminster MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Westminster, CO from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1200 mi and the route typically takes 20h 30m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Westminster?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1200 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Westminster compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $527,654 in Westminster vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 13.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Westminster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,145 in Westminster vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 6.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Westminster?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Westminster vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (9.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 24.5 in.
Is Westminster more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Westminster is 2.5% lower than Fairfield (105.782 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Westminster, CO.