Moving from Rancho Cucamonga, CA to Fairfield, CA
Moving from Rancho Cucamonga, CA to Fairfield, CA covers 431 mi and about 8h 2m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
431 mi Β· 8h 2m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 680, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Ontario, Corona, Jurupa Valley, San Bernardino |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rancho Cucamonga | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Rancho Cucamonga (106.442) and Fairfield (108.479) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Fairfield: 1.9% below Rancho Cucamonga on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Rancho Cucamonga -0.6%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rancho Cucamonga | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 24.5" |
Fairfield is 5.1Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.8Β°F vs 61.7Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Fairfield β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rancho Cucamonga | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $109,511 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 37.9 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.8% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.01 | 3.16 |
Median household income in Fairfield is 1.9% below Rancho Cucamonga ($109,511 β $102,321, 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 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 does the job market in Fairfield compare to Rancho Cucamonga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $47,450 in the Rancho Cucamonga MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Rancho Cucamonga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $792,765 in Rancho Cucamonga β a 23.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Rancho Cucamonga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 1.9% higher than Rancho Cucamonga (108.479 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Rancho Cucamonga, CA?
The driving distance is 431 mi and the route typically takes 8h 2m via I 5 and I 680. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rancho Cucamonga to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 431 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 Rancho Cucamonga vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $109,511 in Rancho Cucamonga β a 6.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rancho Cucamonga.
City profiles: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Β· Fairfield, CA.