Moving from College Station, TX to Fremont, CA
It is 1834 mi and 32h 23m from College Station to Fremont β a cross-country move across 4 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.
1834 mi Β· 32h 23m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Hayward, San Mateo, San Jose, Sunnyvale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Fremont is 27.1% above College Station β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
27.1% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 14.4" |
Expect 9.5Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Fremont β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.97 |
Expect median household income to rise 27.1% β $51,776 β $176,350 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Texas 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.
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 does the job market in Fremont compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Fremont?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1834 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fremont more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 27.1% higher than College Station (115.613 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $349,041 in College Station β a 342.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $51,776 in College Station β a 240.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fremont, CA from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 1834 mi and the route typically takes 32h 23m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 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 College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Fremont, CA.