Moving from Omaha, NE to Fairfield, CA
It is 1617 mi and 27h 17m from Omaha to Fairfield β a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1617 mi Β· 27h 17m by car Β· NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 15, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | Lincoln, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Sparks |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Omaha | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.911 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.378 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.063 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.404 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 18.0% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $294,189 to $609,269 moving to Fairfield.
YoY change: Omaha +1.2%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Omaha | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 24.5" |
Expect 10.4Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Fairfield gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OMAHA #1, NE US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Omaha | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $72,708 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.6% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 3.16 |
Expect median household income to rise 18.0% β $72,708 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.
Moving between Nebraska 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Fairfield more expensive than Omaha?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 18.0% higher than Omaha (108.479 vs 91.911, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Omaha to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1617 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 Omaha?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $294,189 in Omaha β a 107.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Omaha?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $47,580 in the Omaha MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 483,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Omaha, NE?
The driving distance is 1617 mi and the route typically takes 27h 17m via I 80 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Omaha vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $72,708 in Omaha β a 40.7% 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 Omaha.
City profiles: Omaha, NE Β· Fairfield, CA.