Moving from Fremont, CA to Irvine, CA
The 392 mi from Fremont to Irvine translate to about 7h 32m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
392 mi · 7h 32m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Corona, Costa Mesa, Jurupa Valley, Anaheim |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fremont | Irvine | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Fremont (115.613) and Irvine (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $1,543,132 vs $1,557,982 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fremont -4.0%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fremont | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.4" | 14.1" |
Climate warms by 5.0°F on the annual average — 59.9°F → 64.9°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Irvine — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK, CA US, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fremont | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $176,350 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 38.8 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.75 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.8% between Fremont and Irvine (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irvine MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Irvine sees only 14.1 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.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Fremont and Irvine?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.9°F in Irvine vs 59.9°F in Fremont (5.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 14.4 in.
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Fremont?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine MSA vs $72,050 in the Fremont MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fremont to Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 392 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Irvine more expensive than Fremont?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irvine is 1.8% lower than Fremont (113.566 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Irvine, CA from Fremont, CA?
The driving distance is 392 mi and the route typically takes 7h 32m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Irvine compared to Fremont?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $1,543,132 in Fremont — a 1.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fremont vs Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $176,350 in Fremont — a 26.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fremont.
City profiles: Fremont, CA · Irvine, CA.