Moving from Tuscaloosa, AL to Fairfield, CA
It is 2326 mi and 41h 9m from Tuscaloosa to Fairfield β a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2326 mi Β· 41h 9m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 5, US 78 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Richmond, Concord, Antioch, Elk Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tuscaloosa | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 87.722 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.396 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 58.246 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 87.722 in Tuscaloosa to 108.479 in Fairfield, putting overall prices 23.7% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 23.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $228,947 to $609,269 moving to Fairfield.
YoY change: Tuscaloosa +1.1%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tuscaloosa | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 57.3" | 24.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Tuscaloosa (64.3Β°F) and Fairfield (61.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fairfield gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tuscaloosa | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,699 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $48,536 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 28.2 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 3.16 |
Expect median household income to rise 23.7% β $48,536 β $102,321 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Moving between Alabama 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Fairfield, CA from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance is 2326 mi and the route typically takes 41h 9m via I 40 and I 5. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Tuscaloosa vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $48,536 in Tuscaloosa β a 110.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Tuscaloosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $228,947 in Tuscaloosa β a 166.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Tuscaloosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 103,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Tuscaloosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 23.7% higher than Tuscaloosa (108.479 vs 87.722, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Tuscaloosa to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2326 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Tuscaloosa.
City profiles: Tuscaloosa, AL Β· Fairfield, CA.