Moving from Fairfield, CA to Orange, CA
The 425 mi from Fairfield to Orange translate to about 7h 56m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
425 mi · 7h 56m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 680, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, Irvine, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Orange | 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 |
Orange and Fairfield are close on the overall BEA RPP (108.479 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Orange typical home at $1,143,788 is 4.7% above Fairfield at $609,269 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Orange +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 12.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.7°F vs 66.1°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Orange sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 138,723 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $116,945 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 3.09 |
Income steps up 4.7%: $102,321 in Fairfield vs $116,945 in Orange.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orange 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: Orange sees only 12.5 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
Is Orange more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orange 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 far is Orange, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 425 mi and the route typically takes 7h 56m via I 5 and I 680. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Orange compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Orange 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.
How much do homes cost in Orange compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,143,788 in Orange vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 87.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Orange?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Orange vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (4.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 24.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Orange?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 425 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Orange?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $116,945 in Orange vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 14.3% higher 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 · Orange, CA.