Moving from Fairfield, CA to Wichita, KS
It is 1717 mi and 29h 9m from Fairfield to Wichita — a cross-country move across 6 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.
1717 mi · 29h 9m by car · KS → CO → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → CO → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Wichita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 88.946 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 88.459 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 66.245 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 18.0% cheaper overall in Wichita than Fairfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
18.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Wichita +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 12.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 34.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 12.7 in of snowfall annually at Wichita.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, WICHITA, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 396,488 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $63,072 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.52 |
Expect median household income to fall 18.0% — $102,321 → $63,072 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wichita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,200 | $38,160 |
| Production Occupations | 30,560 | $49,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,850 | $27,770 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 25,880 | $31,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,580 | $37,870 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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
- 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.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Wichita averages 12.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Wichita average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Wichita, KS from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1717 mi and the route typically takes 29h 9m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Wichita compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,790 in the Wichita MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 303,910 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Wichita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1717 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Wichita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Wichita vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (4.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 12.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.3 in vs 24.5 in.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Wichita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,072 in Wichita vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 38.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Wichita more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wichita is 18.0% lower than Fairfield (88.946 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Wichita compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $202,720 in Wichita vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 66.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Wichita, KS.