Moving from Richardson, TX to Fairfield, CA
It is 1737 mi and 30h 49m from Richardson to Fairfield β a cross-country move across 4 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.
1737 mi Β· 30h 49m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 5 |
| 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
| Richardson | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.2% above Richardson β 103.09 β 108.479 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.2% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 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: RICHARDSON, TX US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 34 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.16 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 5.2% higher in Fairfield than Richardson.
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 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.
- 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 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 Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 5.2% higher than Richardson (108.479 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1737 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Richardson vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 6.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 38.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 1737 mi and the route typically takes 30h 49m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 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 Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Fairfield, CA.