Moving from Round Rock, TX to Fairfield, CA
Cross-country relocations like Round Rock, TX → Fairfield, CA cover 1791 mi and about 31h 26m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1791 mi · 31h 26m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 290 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Round Rock | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 98.066 in Round Rock to 108.479 in Fairfield, a 10.6% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Fairfield: 10.6% above Round Rock on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Round Rock -5.9%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Round Rock | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $97,187 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 3.16 |
Income steps up 10.6%: $97,187 in Round Rock 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 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Round Rock vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $97,187 in Round Rock — a 5.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Round Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $407,077 in Round Rock — a 49.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Round Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 10.6% higher than Round Rock (108.479 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Round Rock, TX?
The driving distance is 1791 mi and the route typically takes 31h 26m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Round Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Round Rock 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 1791 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Round Rock.
City profiles: Round Rock, TX · Fairfield, CA.