Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Fairfield, CA
Relocating between Santa Clara, CA and Fairfield, CA is a 77 mi drive β 1h 37m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
77 mi Β· 1h 37m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 680, I 880, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Sunnyvale, San Jose, Fremont, San Mateo, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 110.423 vs 108.479 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,782,192 to $609,269 moving to Fairfield.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 24.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Clara (60.7Β°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 JOSE, CA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.16 |
Expect median household income to fall 1.8% β $173,670 β $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.
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 Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 65.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 77 mi and the route typically takes 1h 37m via I 680 and I 880. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 1.8% lower than Santa Clara (108.479 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 77 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 Santa Clara vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 41.1% 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 Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Fairfield, CA.