Moving from Fairfield, CA to Irvine, CA
It is a 436 mi drive, roughly 8h 9m, between Fairfield, CA and Irvine, 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.
436 mi · 8h 9m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 680, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Corona, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Jurupa Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Irvine | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 108.479 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.7% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $609,269 to $1,557,982 moving to Irvine.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 14.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Fairfield (61.7°F) and Irvine (64.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Irvine gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.75 |
Irvine households earn about 4.7% more than Fairfield at the median — $102,321 → $129,647 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irvine MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Irvine sees only 14.1 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 Irvine compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 155.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 26.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Irvine?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.9°F in Irvine vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (3.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 24.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 436 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Irvine, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 436 mi and the route typically takes 8h 9m via I 5 and I 680. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Irvine more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irvine is 4.7% higher than Fairfield (113.566 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 · Irvine, CA.