Moving from Alexandria, VA to Fremont, CA
A 2839 mi cross-country move between Alexandria and Fremont is 50h 6m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 12 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2839 mi · 50h 6m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → MD → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → MD → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| 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
| Alexandria | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.884 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.7 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 104.847 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.134 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.2% above Alexandria — 108.884 → 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.2% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Alexandria | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 77°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 14.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Fremont — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 2.97 |
Fremont households earn about 6.2% more than Alexandria at the median — $113,638 → $176,350 on 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 Virginia 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in 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 — 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
When is the best time to move from Alexandria 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 2839 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $676,205 in Alexandria — a 128.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Alexandria vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $113,638 in Alexandria — a 55.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 3,092,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Alexandria and Fremont?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.9°F in Fremont vs 59.3°F in Alexandria (0.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 13.7 in. Annual precipitation: 14.4 in vs 41.8 in.
How far is Fremont, CA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 2839 mi and the route typically takes 50h 6m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fremont more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 6.2% higher than Alexandria (115.613 vs 108.884, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Alexandria.
City profiles: Alexandria, VA · Fremont, CA.