Moving from Orange, CA to Fairfield, CA
The 425 mi from Orange to Fairfield translate to about 7h 56m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — 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.
425 mi · 7h 56m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 680, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, Irvine, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orange | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Orange (113.566) and Fairfield (108.479) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Fairfield: 4.5% below Orange on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Orange +0.5%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orange | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 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: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orange | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $116,945 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.09 | 3.16 |
Income steps down 4.5%: $116,945 in Orange 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 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
When is the best time to move from Orange 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 425 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Orange and Fairfield?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Fairfield vs 66.1°F in Orange (4.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.5 in vs 12.5 in.
How does household income compare in Orange vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $116,945 in Orange — a 12.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Orange?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 4.5% lower than Orange (108.479 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Orange?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $1,143,788 in Orange — a 46.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Orange?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $50,490 in the Orange 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.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Orange, CA?
The driving distance is 425 mi and the route typically takes 7h 56m via I 5 and I 680. 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 Orange.
City profiles: Orange, CA · Fairfield, CA.