Moving from Fairfield, CA to Bakersfield, CA
Moving from Fairfield, CA to Bakersfield, CA covers 297 mi and about 5h 34m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
297 mi Β· 5h 34m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 58, I 5, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | Modesto, Stockton, San Jose, Fremont, Santa Clara |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Bakersfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 100.886 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 158.257 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 90.291 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Bakersfield are 7.0% below Fairfield β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Bakersfield typical home at $396,047 is 7.0% under Fairfield at $609,269 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Bakersfield -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 6.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.7Β°F vs 65.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Bakersfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 408,366 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $77,397 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 31.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 3.2 |
Median household income in Bakersfield is 7.0% below Fairfield ($102,321 vs $77,397, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Bakersfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations | 39,670 | $33,500 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | 36,890 | $33,490 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 34,910 | $44,030 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,340 | $45,500 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 28,110 | $33,580 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Bakersfield average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Bakersfield sees only 6.7 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
Is Bakersfield more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Bakersfield is 7.0% lower than Fairfield (100.886 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Bakersfield compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $396,047 in Bakersfield vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 35.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Bakersfield, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 297 mi and the route typically takes 5h 34m via CA 58 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Bakersfield compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 330,270 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Bakersfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,397 in Bakersfield vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 24.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Bakersfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 297 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 Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA Β· Bakersfield, CA.