Moving from Fullerton, CA to San Jose, CA
Relocating between Fullerton, CA and San Jose, CA is a 361 mi drive β 6h 51m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
361 mi Β· 6h 51m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 152 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fullerton | San Jose | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Fullerton and San Jose sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $1,050,945 in Fullerton to $1,463,614 in San Jose, a 2.8% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fullerton -0.4%, San Jose -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fullerton | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.9" | 16.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.2Β°F vs 61.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Jose sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FULLERTON MUNI AP, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fullerton | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 990,054 |
| Median household income | $104,219 | $141,565 |
| Median age | 36.1 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.4% | 26.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 3.03 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.8% β $104,219 β $141,565 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Jose MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in San Jose compare to Fullerton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the San Jose MSA vs $50,490 in the Fullerton MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is San Jose more expensive than Fullerton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Jose is 2.8% lower than Fullerton (110.423 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fullerton vs San Jose?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,565 in San Jose vs $104,219 in Fullerton β a 35.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Jose compared to Fullerton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,463,614 in San Jose vs $1,050,945 in Fullerton β a 39.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fullerton to San Jose?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 361 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is San Jose, CA from Fullerton, CA?
The driving distance is 361 mi and the route typically takes 6h 51m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 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 Fullerton.
City profiles: Fullerton, CA Β· San Jose, CA.