Moving from San Francisco, CA to Fremont, CA
Moving from San Francisco, CA to Fremont, CA covers 92 mi and about 2h 30m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
92 mi · 2h 30m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 880, I 580, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Fremont and San Francisco are close on the overall BEA RPP (115.613 vs 115.613); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 0.0% higher in Fremont than San Francisco as of 2026-03.
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Francisco | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 62°F | 77°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 14.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 56.2°F vs 59.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fremont sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.97 |
Median household income in Fremont is 0.0% above San Francisco ($141,446 vs $176,350, ACS 5-year 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.
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: 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from San Francisco 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 92 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between San Francisco and Fremont?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.9°F in Fremont vs 56.2°F in San Francisco (3.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.4 in vs 20.6 in.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco — a 13.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fremont, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 92 mi and the route typically takes 2h 30m via I 880 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $141,446 in San Francisco — a 24.7% higher 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 San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA · Fremont, CA.