Moving from San Francisco, CA to Fullerton, CA
The 458 mi from San Francisco to Fullerton translate to about 9h 9m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
458 mi Β· 9h 9m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Fullerton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for San Francisco (115.613) and Fullerton (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Fullerton: 1.8% below San Francisco on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Fullerton -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Francisco | Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 62Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 11.9" |
Climate warms by 10.0Β°F on the annual average β 56.2Β°F β 66.2Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 141,278 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $104,219 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 27.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.98 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.8% between San Francisco and Fullerton (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fullerton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Fullerton sees only 11.9 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.0Β°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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Fullerton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 458 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fullerton more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fullerton is 1.8% lower than San Francisco (113.566 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fullerton, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 458 mi and the route typically takes 9h 9m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fullerton compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,050,945 in Fullerton vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco β a 22.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fullerton compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Fullerton MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Fullerton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,219 in Fullerton vs $141,446 in San Francisco β a 26.3% lower 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 San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA Β· Fullerton, CA.