Moving from Fairfield, CA to Richmond, CA
Moving from Fairfield, CA to Richmond, CA is a 32 mi drive, about 44 min by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
32 mi · 44 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Vallejo, Concord, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.6% pricier overall in Richmond than Fairfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 71°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 24.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.7°F vs 58.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Richmond sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.85 |
Median household income in Richmond is 6.6% below Fairfield ($102,321 → $90,038, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- 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 does household income compare in Fairfield vs Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 12.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Richmond?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.8°F in Richmond vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (2.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.4 in vs 24.5 in.
How far is Richmond, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 32 mi and the route typically takes 44 min via I 80. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Richmond more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 6.6% higher than Fairfield (115.613 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 32 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Richmond compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 0.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 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 · Richmond, CA.