Moving from Fairfield, CA to Fresno, CA
It is a 176 mi drive, roughly 3h 40m, between Fairfield, CA and Fresno, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
176 mi · 3h 40m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, CA 12, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Clovis, Modesto, Stockton, Elk Grove, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Fresno | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.8% cheaper overall in Fresno than Fairfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.8% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Fresno +0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Fresno |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 11.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Fresno — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Fresno |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 543,615 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $66,804 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 3.03 |
Fresno households earn about 5.8% less than Fairfield at the median — $102,321 → $66,804 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fresno MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,600 | $45,210 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,930 | $38,480 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,500 | $32,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,440 | $33,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 32,010 | $59,270 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- 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 Fresno average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Fresno sees only 11.0 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 — 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 Fresno compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $391,328 in Fresno vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 35.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Fresno?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Fresno vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (3.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 24.5 in.
How does the job market in Fresno compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Fresno MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Fresno?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 176 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fresno more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fresno is 5.8% lower than Fairfield (102.158 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fresno, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 176 mi and the route typically takes 3h 40m via CA 99 and CA 12. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Fresno?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,804 in Fresno vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 34.7% 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 Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Fresno, CA.