Moving from Renton, WA to Fairfield, CA
The drive from Renton, WA to Fairfield, CA runs 754 mi β about 14h 33m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
754 mi Β· 14h 33m by car Β· CA β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 505, OR 99 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Antioch, Richmond, Sacramento |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Fairfield and Renton are close on the overall BEA RPP (111.133 vs 108.479); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fairfield typical home at $609,269 is 2.4% under Renton at $764,375 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 24.5" |
Climate warms by 8.1Β°F on the annual average β 53.6Β°F β 61.7Β°F.
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: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 3.16 |
Income steps up 2.4%: $96,626 in Renton vs $102,321 in Fairfield.
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 Washington 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Renton to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 754 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 2.4% lower than Renton (108.479 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 754 mi and the route typically takes 14h 33m via I 5 and I 505. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $96,626 in Renton β a 5.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $764,375 in Renton β a 20.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Fairfield, CA.