Moving from Fairfield, CA to Tempe, AZ
The drive from Fairfield, CA to Tempe, AZ runs 776 mi — about 14h 11m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
776 mi · 14h 11m by car · AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Tempe | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Tempe and Fairfield are close on the overall BEA RPP (108.479 vs 103.316); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Tempe typical home at $468,281 is 4.8% under Fairfield at $609,269 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 8.8" |
Climate warms by 10.1°F on the annual average — 61.7°F → 71.8°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Tempe sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.42 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 4.8% between Fairfield and Tempe (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tempe average 106°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.1°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tempe more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tempe is 4.8% lower than Fairfield (103.316 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 Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 776 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 24.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tempe, AZ from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 776 mi and the route typically takes 14h 11m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 23.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (10.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 24.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Tempe, AZ.