Moving from Hillsboro, OR to Fremont, CA
The drive from Hillsboro, OR to Fremont, CA runs 659 mi β about 12h 48m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
659 mi Β· 12h 48m by car Β· CA β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 505, I 5, OR 99 |
| 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
| Hillsboro | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.7% pricier overall in Fremont than Hillsboro on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fremont typical home at $1,543,132 is 9.7% above Hillsboro at $522,557 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Hillsboro -3.7%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hillsboro | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 14.4" |
Climate warms by 7.4Β°F on the annual average β 52.5Β°F β 59.9Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fremont sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hillsboro | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,050 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $103,207 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.97 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 9.7% between Hillsboro and Fremont (ACS 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 Oregon 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.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during 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 far is Fremont, CA from Hillsboro, OR?
The driving distance is 659 mi and the route typically takes 12h 48m via I 505 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Hillsboro vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $103,207 in Hillsboro β a 70.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Hillsboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Hillsboro to Fremont?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 659 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fremont more expensive than Hillsboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 9.7% higher than Hillsboro (115.613 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Hillsboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $522,557 in Hillsboro β a 195.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hillsboro.
City profiles: Hillsboro, OR Β· Fremont, CA.