Moving from Fairfield, CA to Sunnyvale, CA
It is a 79 mi drive, roughly 1h 37m, between Fairfield, CA and Sunnyvale, 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.
79 mi Β· 1h 37m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 680, CA 237, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Jose, Fremont, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Sunnyvale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Fairfield and Sunnyvale sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $609,269 in Fairfield to $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale, a 1.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Sunnyvale -0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 13.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.7Β°F vs 59.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 153,455 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $181,862 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 30.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.61 |
Sunnyvale households earn about 1.8% more than Fairfield at the median β $102,321 β $181,862 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sunnyvale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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
- Dry climate: Sunnyvale sees only 13.5 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 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
Is Sunnyvale more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sunnyvale is 1.8% higher than Fairfield (110.423 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Sunnyvale compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Sunnyvale MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Sunnyvale, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 79 mi and the route typically takes 1h 37m via I 680 and CA 237. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Sunnyvale compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 256.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Sunnyvale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $181,862 in Sunnyvale vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 77.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Sunnyvale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 79 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA Β· Sunnyvale, CA.