Moving from Fairfield, CA to Round Rock, TX
Cross-country relocations like Fairfield, CA → Round Rock, TX cover 1791 mi and about 31h 26m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1791 mi · 31h 26m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Round Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Round Rock are 9.6% below Fairfield — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Round Rock typical home at $407,077 is 9.6% under Fairfield at $609,269 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Round Rock -5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Round Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 124,288 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $97,187 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 28.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.66 |
Income steps down 9.6%: $102,321 in Fairfield vs $97,187 in Round Rock.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Round Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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
- 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
How does the job market in Round Rock compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Round Rock compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,077 in Round Rock vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 33.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Round Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1791 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Round Rock, TX from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1791 mi and the route typically takes 31h 26m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Round Rock more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Round Rock is 9.6% lower than Fairfield (98.066 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Round Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,187 in Round Rock vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 5.0% 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 · Round Rock, TX.