Moving from San Mateo, CA to Fairfield, CA
It is a 65 mi drive, roughly 1h 24m, between San Mateo, CA and Fairfield, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
65 mi Β· 1h 24m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Vallejo, Concord, Richmond, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | 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 |
Expect about 6.2% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Fairfield at 108.479 vs San Mateo at 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.2% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,686,905 to $609,269 moving to Fairfield.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 24.5" |
Annual average temperatures in San Mateo (58.7Β°F) and Fairfield (61.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fairfield gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 38 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.16 |
Fairfield households earn about 6.2% less than San Mateo at the median β $152,669 β $102,321 on 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 much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 63.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo 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 San Mateo vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 33.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fairfield, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 65 mi and the route typically takes 1h 24m via I 80 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 65 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fairfield more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 6.2% lower than San Mateo (108.479 vs 115.613, 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 San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Fairfield, CA.