Moving from Chicago, IL to Fremont, CA
Cross-country relocations like Chicago, IL β Fremont, CA cover 2150 mi and about 37h 14m of driving through 7 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.
2150 mi Β· 37h 14m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Elgin, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Fremont is 11.6% higher than Chicago, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Fremont is 11.6% above Chicago β $317,283 vs $1,543,132 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 14.4" |
Climate warms by 9.1Β°F on the annual average β 50.8Β°F β 59.9Β°F.
Fremont 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: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.97 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 11.6% between Chicago and Fremont (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fremont MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois 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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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: Fremont sees only 14.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 386.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 134.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Fremont?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2150 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fremont more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 11.6% higher than Chicago (115.613 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fremont, CA from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 2150 mi and the route typically takes 37h 14m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Fremont, CA.