Moving from Brownsville, TX to Fremont, CA
Cross-country relocations like Brownsville, TX β Fremont, CA cover 1977 mi and about 34h 28m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1977 mi Β· 34h 28m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Hayward, San Mateo, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 34.5% higher overall in Fremont vs Brownsville on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Fremont: 34.5% above Brownsville on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Brownsville | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 14.4" |
Climate cools by 14.5Β°F on the annual average β 74.4Β°F β 59.9Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Fremont β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 2.97 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 34.5% between Brownsville 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 Texas 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.5Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 does household income compare in Brownsville vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $48,675 in Brownsville β a 262.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $195,993 in Brownsville β a 687.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Brownsville to Fremont?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1977 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fremont more expensive than Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 34.5% higher than Brownsville (115.613 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fremont, CA from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 1977 mi and the route typically takes 34h 28m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 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 Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX Β· Fremont, CA.