Moving from Allen, TX to Fairfield, CA
Cross-country relocations like Allen, TX β Fairfield, CA cover 1742 mi and about 30h 53m of driving through 4 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.
1742 mi Β· 30h 53m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Richmond, Concord, Antioch, Elk Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allen | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 103.09 in Allen to 108.479 in Fairfield, a 5.2% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Fairfield: 5.2% above Allen on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Allen -6.4%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Allen | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 24.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Fairfield β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allen | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $129,130 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 38.5 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.6% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 3.16 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.2% between Allen 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 Texas 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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 household income compare in Allen vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $129,130 in Allen β a 20.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Allen, TX?
The driving distance is 1742 mi and the route typically takes 30h 53m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Allen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $493,532 in Allen β a 23.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Allen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 5.2% higher than Allen (108.479 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Allen to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1742 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Allen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $48,440 in the Allen MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allen.
City profiles: Allen, TX Β· Fairfield, CA.