Moving from Fairfield, CA to San Mateo, CA
It is a 65 mi drive, roughly 1h 24m, between Fairfield, CA and San Mateo, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
65 mi Β· 1h 24m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Antioch, Vallejo, Concord, Richmond, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | San Mateo | 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 |
San Mateo runs about 6.6% more expensive overall than Fairfield β RPP 108.479 β 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $609,269 in Fairfield to $1,686,905 in San Mateo, a 6.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 19.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.7Β°F vs 58.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.6 |
San Mateo households earn about 6.6% more than Fairfield at the median β $102,321 β $152,669 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo 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 20β30% 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 β 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 San Mateo compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 176.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Mateo more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo 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 San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 65 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 49.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 65 mi and the route typically takes 1h 24m via I 80 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo 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 Β· San Mateo, CA.