Moving from Richmond, CA to Fairfield, CA
Moving from Richmond, CA to Fairfield, CA is a 32 mi drive, about 44 min by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
32 mi · 44 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Vallejo, Concord, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Fairfield is 6.2% cheaper than Richmond overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Richmond and Fairfield are within 5% of each other ($606,427 vs $609,269 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 71°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 24.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Richmond (58.8°F) and Fairfield (61.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fairfield gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND, CA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 3.16 |
Median household income in Fairfield is 6.2% above Richmond ($90,038 → $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 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
How far is Fairfield, CA from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 32 mi and the route typically takes 44 min via I 80. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Richmond 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 32 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $90,038 in Richmond — a 13.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Fairfield?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Fairfield vs 58.8°F in Richmond (2.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.5 in vs 24.4 in.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 6.2% lower than Richmond (108.479 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $606,427 in Richmond — a 0.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA · Fairfield, CA.