Moving from Fairfield, CA to Virginia Beach, VA
Cross-country relocations like Fairfield, CA → Virginia Beach, VA cover 2938 mi and about 52h 4m of driving through 11 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.
2938 mi · 52h 4m by car · VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → WV → KY → IN → IL → MO → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Virginia Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Virginia Beach is 9.7% cheaper than Fairfield overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Virginia Beach is 9.7% below Fairfield — $609,269 vs $427,032 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Virginia Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 3.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 46.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Fairfield (61.7°F) and Virginia Beach (59.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Virginia Beach averages 3.4 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, OCEANA NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 457,066 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $90,685 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.54 |
Income steps down 9.7%: $102,321 in Fairfield vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Virginia Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Virginia Beach compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Virginia Beach, VA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2938 mi and the route typically takes 52h 4m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Virginia Beach compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $427,032 in Virginia Beach vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 29.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Virginia Beach more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Virginia Beach is 9.7% lower than Fairfield (97.941 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 Virginia Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2938 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Virginia Beach?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.8°F in Virginia Beach vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (1.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 3.4 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 24.5 in.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Virginia Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,685 in Virginia Beach vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 11.4% 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 · Virginia Beach, VA.