Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Fairfield, CA
Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Fairfield, CA covers 458 mi and about 8h 37m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
458 mi Β· 8h 37m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 210, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Riverside, San Bernardino |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Moreno Valley | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Fairfield and Moreno Valley are close on the overall BEA RPP (106.442 vs 108.479); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 1.9% higher in Fairfield than Moreno Valley as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 24.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 63.3Β°F vs 61.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fairfield sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 3.16 |
Median household income in Fairfield is 1.9% above Moreno Valley ($87,477 β $102,321, ACS 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 Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 1.9% higher than Moreno Valley (108.479 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 458 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 10.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 17.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 458 mi and the route typically takes 8h 37m via I 5 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Moreno Valley.
City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· Fairfield, CA.