Moving from Fairfield, CA to El Paso, TX
It is 1197 mi between Fairfield and El Paso — roughly 21h 31m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1197 mi · 21h 31m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | El Paso | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 89.912 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 82.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 71.248 | 100.0 |
Expect about 17.1% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has El Paso at 89.912 vs Fairfield at 108.479.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 17.1% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $609,269 to $234,775 moving to El Paso.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 96°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 2.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 8.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Fairfield (61.7°F) and El Paso (66.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
El Paso averages 2.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | El Paso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 678,147 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $58,734 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.8 |
El Paso households earn about 17.1% less than Fairfield at the median — $102,321 → $58,734 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Paso MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 44,500 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 34,790 | $23,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,160 | $33,850 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,050 | $28,800 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 23,040 | $61,670 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 El Paso average 96°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to El Paso?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1197 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is El Paso, TX from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1197 mi and the route typically takes 21h 31m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs El Paso?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 42.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and El Paso?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.2°F in El Paso vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (4.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 24.5 in.
Is El Paso more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 17.1% lower than Fairfield (89.912 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 61.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in El Paso compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 137,640 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 Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · El Paso, TX.