Moving from Des Moines, IA to Fremont, CA
It is 1819 mi and 31h 5m from Des Moines to Fremont — a cross-country move across 6 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.
1819 mi · 31h 5m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 680, I 235 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 91.701 in Des Moines to 115.613 in Fremont, putting overall prices 26.1% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 26.1% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $208,166 to $1,543,132 moving to Fremont.
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 77°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 14.4" |
Expect 9.0°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Fremont gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.97 |
Expect median household income to rise 26.1% — $63,966 → $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 Iowa 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
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 — 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
Is Fremont more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 26.1% higher than Des Moines (115.613 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 641.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Fremont?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.9°F in Fremont vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (9.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 14.4 in vs 36.6 in.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fremont, CA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1819 mi and the route typically takes 31h 5m via I 80 and I 680. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 175.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Fremont?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1819 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Fremont, CA.