Moving from St. Louis, MO to Fairfield, CA
Cross-country relocations like St. Louis, MO β Fairfield, CA cover 2009 mi and about 34h 47m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2009 mi Β· 34h 47m by car Β· MO β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 40, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Fairfield is 14.1% higher than St. Louis, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 24.5" |
Annual average temperatures in St. Louis (58.0Β°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: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 3.16 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 14.1% between St. Louis and Fairfield (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.
Moving between Missouri and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fairfield, CA from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 2009 mi and the route typically takes 34h 47m via I 80 and US 40. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 85.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fairfield more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 14.1% higher than St. Louis (108.479 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2009 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Fairfield, CA.