Moving from Huntington Beach, CA to Fairfield, CA
The 429 mi from Huntington Beach to Fairfield translate to about 8h 4m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
429 mi Β· 8h 4m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 680, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntington Beach | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Fairfield and Huntington Beach are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 108.479); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fairfield typical home at $609,269 is 4.5% under Huntington Beach at $1,366,658 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Huntington Beach +2.8%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Huntington Beach | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 24.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.9Β°F vs 61.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fairfield sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntington Beach | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $119,885 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 43.4 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 3.16 |
Income steps down 4.5%: $119,885 in Huntington Beach vs $102,321 in Fairfield.
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 20β30% 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 β 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 far is Fairfield, CA from Huntington Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 429 mi and the route typically takes 8h 4m via I 5 and I 680. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Huntington Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach β a 55.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Huntington Beach to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 429 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Huntington Beach vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $119,885 in Huntington Beach β a 14.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Huntington Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $50,490 in the Huntington Beach MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Huntington Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 4.5% lower than Huntington Beach (108.479 vs 113.566, 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 Huntington Beach.
City profiles: Huntington Beach, CA Β· Fairfield, CA.