Moving from Riverside, CA to Fairfield, CA
It is a 451 mi drive, roughly 8h 27m, between Riverside, CA and Fairfield, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
451 mi · 8h 27m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 210, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Menifee, Rialto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable — 106.442 vs 108.479 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 1.9% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Riverside | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 24.5" |
Annual temperature drops 5.2°F moving to Fairfield per 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: RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 3.16 |
Households in Fairfield earn about 1.9% more at the median — ACS 5-year 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 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.
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.
Frequently asked
How far is Fairfield, CA from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 451 mi and the route typically takes 8h 27m via I 5 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $47,450 in the Riverside 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.
What is the climate difference between Riverside and Fairfield?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Fairfield vs 66.9°F in Riverside (5.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.5 in vs 10.0 in.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $646,784 in Riverside — a 5.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Riverside?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 1.9% higher than Riverside (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 Riverside 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 451 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Riverside vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $88,575 in Riverside — a 15.5% 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 Riverside.
City profiles: Riverside, CA · Fairfield, CA.