Moving from Surprise, AZ to Fairfield, CA
The drive from Surprise, AZ to Fairfield, CA runs 763 mi — about 13h 58m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
763 mi · 13h 58m by car · AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 103.316 in Surprise to 108.479 in Fairfield, a 5.0% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Fairfield: 5.0% above Surprise on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 62°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 40°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 24.5" |
Climate cools by 8.5°F on the annual average — 70.2°F → 61.7°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Fairfield — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 3.16 |
Income steps up 5.0%: $93,371 in Surprise 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 Arizona 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
- 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 much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 44.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 763 mi and the route typically takes 13h 58m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 9.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 5.0% higher than Surprise (108.479 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Surprise 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 763 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Fairfield?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.7°F in Fairfield vs 70.2°F in Surprise (8.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 24.5 in vs 9.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ · Fairfield, CA.