Moving from San Jose, CA to Fairfield, CA
The 82 mi from San Jose to Fairfield translate to about 1h 39m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — 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.
82 mi · 1h 39m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 680, I 80, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Fremont, San Mateo, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Jose | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Fairfield and San Jose are close on the overall BEA RPP (110.423 vs 108.479); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fairfield typical home at $609,269 is 1.8% under San Jose at $1,463,614 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Jose | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 24.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.5°F vs 61.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fairfield sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 3.16 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.8% between San Jose and Fairfield (ACS 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
What is the climate difference between San Jose and Fairfield?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Fairfield vs 61.5°F in San Jose (0.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.5 in vs 16.1 in.
How does household income compare in San Jose vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $141,565 in San Jose — a 27.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fairfield, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 82 mi and the route typically takes 1h 39m via I 680 and I 80. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $1,463,614 in San Jose — a 58.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fairfield more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 1.8% lower than San Jose (108.479 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Jose 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 82 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 1,141,820 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 San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA · Fairfield, CA.