Moving from Goodyear, AZ to Fresno, CA
A move from Goodyear, AZ to Fresno, CA covers 585 mi and around 11h 2m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
585 mi · 11h 2m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, CA 99, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Goodyear | Fresno | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Goodyear (103.316) and Fresno (102.158) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Fresno ZHVI at $391,328 is 1.1% below Goodyear at $469,424.
YoY change: Goodyear -1.2%, Fresno +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Goodyear | Fresno |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 107°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.4" | 11.0" |
Fresno is 8.9°F cooler on the annual average (73.9°F vs 65.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Fresno — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Goodyear | Fresno |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,891 | 543,615 |
| Median household income | $101,814 | $66,804 |
| Median age | 40.8 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.87 | 3.03 |
Median household income in Fresno is 1.1% below Goodyear ($101,814 vs $66,804, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fresno MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,600 | $45,210 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,930 | $38,480 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,500 | $32,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,440 | $33,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 32,010 | $59,270 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fresno average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Fresno sees only 11.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Goodyear to Fresno?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 585 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Fresno compared to Goodyear?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $391,328 in Fresno vs $469,424 in Goodyear — a 16.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Goodyear vs Fresno?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,804 in Fresno vs $101,814 in Goodyear — a 34.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fresno more expensive than Goodyear?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fresno is 1.1% lower than Goodyear (102.158 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fresno, CA from Goodyear, AZ?
The driving distance is 585 mi and the route typically takes 11h 2m via I 10 and CA 99. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fresno compare to Goodyear?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Fresno MSA vs $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Goodyear and Fresno?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Fresno vs 73.9°F in Goodyear (8.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 7.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Goodyear.
City profiles: Goodyear, AZ · Fresno, CA.