Moving from Memphis, TN to Fairfield, CA
It is 2110 mi and 36h 49m from Memphis to Fairfield — a cross-country move across 7 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.
2110 mi · 36h 49m by car · TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 17.7% above Memphis — 92.179 → 108.479 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.7% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 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: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 3.16 |
Expect median household income to rise 17.7% — $51,211 → $102,321 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Moving between Tennessee 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Memphis and Fairfield?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Fairfield vs 63.4°F in Memphis (1.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 24.5 in vs 54.9 in.
How does household income compare in Memphis vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 99.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 2110 mi and the route typically takes 36h 49m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 17.7% higher than Memphis (108.479 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Memphis 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 2110 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 321.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Fairfield, CA.