Moving from Fremont, CA to Fairfield, CA
It is a 66 mi drive, roughly 1h 25m, between Fremont, CA and Fairfield, 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.
66 mi · 1h 25m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 680, I 80, CA 12 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fremont | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.2% cheaper overall in Fairfield than Fremont on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.2% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fremont -4.0%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fremont | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.4" | 24.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Fairfield — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK, CA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fremont | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $176,350 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 38.8 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 3.16 |
Fairfield households earn about 6.2% less than Fremont at the median — $176,350 → $102,321 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fairfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
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
How does household income compare in Fremont vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $176,350 in Fremont — a 42.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Fremont?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $72,050 in the Fremont MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Fremont?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 6.2% lower than Fremont (108.479 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Fremont?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $1,543,132 in Fremont — a 60.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Fremont and Fairfield?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Fairfield vs 59.9°F in Fremont (1.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.5 in vs 14.4 in.
When is the best time to move from Fremont to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 66 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Fremont, CA?
The driving distance is 66 mi and the route typically takes 1h 25m via I 680 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 Fremont.
City profiles: Fremont, CA · Fairfield, CA.