Moving from Fairfield, CA to Stockton, CA
It is a 51 mi drive, roughly 1h 13m, between Fairfield, CA and Stockton, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
51 mi · 1h 13m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 12, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Modesto, Elk Grove, Antioch, Concord, Vallejo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Stockton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 105.089 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 158.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 115.614 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 108.479 vs 105.089 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.1% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $609,269 to $431,328 moving to Stockton.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Stockton -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 17.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Fairfield (61.7°F) and Stockton (63.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Stockton gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 320,470 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $76,851 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 13% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 3.26 |
Stockton households earn about 3.1% less than Fairfield at the median — $102,321 → $76,851 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Stockton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,370 | $47,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 29,980 | $48,070 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,030 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 20,670 | $37,090 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 18,640 | $47,930 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Stockton average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Stockton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Stockton vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (2.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 17.3 in vs 24.5 in.
How does the job market in Stockton compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Stockton MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 278,010 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Stockton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 51 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Stockton compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $431,328 in Stockton vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 29.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Stockton, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 51 mi and the route typically takes 1h 13m via CA 12 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Stockton more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Stockton is 3.1% lower than Fairfield (105.089 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Stockton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,851 in Stockton vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 24.9% 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 · Stockton, CA.