Moving from Lancaster, CA to Fairfield, CA
Relocating between Lancaster, CA and Fairfield, CA is a 375 mi drive β 7h 6m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
375 mi Β· 7h 6m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 138, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | Palmdale, Santa Clarita, Bakersfield, Modesto, Stockton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lancaster | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lancaster -2.1%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lancaster | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.8" | 24.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Fairfield β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lancaster | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $76,083 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.7% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 3.16 |
Expect median household income to rise 4.5% β $76,083 β $102,321 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fairfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
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
Is Fairfield more expensive than Lancaster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 4.5% lower than Lancaster (108.479 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Lancaster vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $76,083 in Lancaster β a 34.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Lancaster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $50,490 in the Lancaster MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Lancaster, CA?
The driving distance is 375 mi and the route typically takes 7h 6m via I 5 and CA 138. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Lancaster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $465,847 in Lancaster β a 30.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lancaster to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 375 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 Lancaster.
City profiles: Lancaster, CA Β· Fairfield, CA.