Moving from Odessa, TX to Fairfield, CA
It is 1475 mi between Odessa and Fairfield — roughly 26h 4m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1475 mi · 26h 4m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Richmond, Concord, Antioch, Elk Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 15.5% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 15.5% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $251,239 to $609,269 moving to Fairfield.
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 24.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Odessa (64.4°F) and Fairfield (61.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fairfield gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 31 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 3.16 |
Fairfield households earn about 15.5% more than Odessa at the median — $73,030 → $102,321 on 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.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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 — 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Fairfield, CA from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 1475 mi and the route typically takes 26h 4m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and Fairfield?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Fairfield vs 64.4°F in Odessa (2.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 24.5 in vs 12.3 in.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 15.5% higher than Odessa (108.479 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 142.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Odessa to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1475 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 40.1% higher 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 Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Fairfield, CA.