Moving from Fairfield, CA to Laredo, TX
A 1796 mi cross-country move between Fairfield and Laredo is 32h 4m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1796 mi · 32h 4m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 19.8% cheaper overall in Laredo than Fairfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.8% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 19.7" |
Annual temperature rises 13.3°F moving to Laredo per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Laredo — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 3.36 |
Laredo households earn about 19.8% less than Fairfield at the median — $102,321 → $63,264 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (13.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 24.5 in.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 104,610 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 Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 38.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Laredo more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 19.8% lower than Fairfield (86.956 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 63.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1796 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Laredo, TX from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1796 mi and the route typically takes 32h 4m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Laredo, TX.