Moving from Fremont, CA to Orange, CA
It is a 382 mi drive, roughly 7h 18m, between Fremont, CA and Orange, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
382 mi · 7h 18m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 152 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Hayward, San Mateo, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fremont | Orange | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable — 115.613 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.8% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,543,132 to $1,143,788 moving to Orange.
YoY change: Fremont -4.0%, Orange +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fremont | Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.4" | 12.5" |
Annual temperature rises 6.2°F moving to Orange per NOAA normals.
Orange 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: NEWARK, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fremont | Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 138,723 |
| Median household income | $176,350 | $116,945 |
| Median age | 38.8 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 3.09 |
Orange households earn about 1.8% less than Fremont at the median — $176,350 → $116,945 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orange 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: Orange sees only 12.5 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
How does the job market in Orange compare to Fremont?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Orange 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.
What is the climate difference between Fremont and Orange?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Orange vs 59.9°F in Fremont (6.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 14.4 in.
Is Orange more expensive than Fremont?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orange 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 Orange, CA from Fremont, CA?
The driving distance is 382 mi and the route typically takes 7h 18m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fremont vs Orange?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $116,945 in Orange vs $176,350 in Fremont — a 33.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Orange compared to Fremont?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,143,788 in Orange vs $1,543,132 in Fremont — a 25.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fremont to Orange?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 382 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 Fremont.
City profiles: Fremont, CA · Orange, CA.