Moving from Fresno, CA to Fairfield, CA
It is a 176 mi drive, roughly 3h 40m, between Fresno, 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.
176 mi · 3h 40m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, CA 12, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Clovis, Modesto, Stockton, Elk Grove, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fresno | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.2% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.2% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $391,328 to $609,269 moving to Fairfield.
YoY change: Fresno +0.1%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fresno | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 24.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Fresno (65.0°F) and Fairfield (61.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fairfield gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fresno | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $66,804 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 3.16 |
Fairfield households earn about 6.2% more than Fresno at the median — $66,804 → $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 the job market in Fairfield compare to Fresno?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $44,530 in the Fresno MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 408,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Fresno and Fairfield?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Fairfield vs 65.0°F in Fresno (3.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.5 in vs 11.0 in.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Fresno, CA?
The driving distance is 176 mi and the route typically takes 3h 40m via CA 99 and CA 12. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fresno 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 176 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fresno vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $66,804 in Fresno — a 53.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Fresno?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $391,328 in Fresno — a 55.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Fresno?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 6.2% higher than Fresno (108.479 vs 102.158, 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 Fresno.
City profiles: Fresno, CA · Fairfield, CA.