Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Fremont, CA
It is a 253 mi drive, roughly 4h 56m, between Bakersfield, CA and Fremont, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
253 mi Β· 4h 56m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 58, I 5, CA 152 |
| Major cities en route | Salinas, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Fremont runs about 14.6% more expensive overall than Bakersfield β RPP 100.886 β 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $396,047 in Bakersfield to $1,543,132 in Fremont, a 14.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 14.4" |
Annual temperature drops 5.2Β°F moving to Fremont per NOAA 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 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.97 |
Fremont households earn about 14.6% more than Bakersfield at the median β $77,397 β $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.
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
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 127.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Fremont?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 253 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fremont, CA from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 253 mi and the route typically takes 4h 56m via CA 58 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 289.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fremont more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 14.6% higher than Bakersfield (115.613 vs 100.886, 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 Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Fremont, CA.