Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Fremont, CA
The 390 mi from Costa Mesa to Fremont translate to about 7h 29m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
390 mi Β· 7h 29m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, CA 152 |
| 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
| Costa Mesa | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Fremont and Costa Mesa is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Fremont is 1.8% above Costa Mesa ($1,543,132 vs $1,413,322 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 14.4" |
Climate cools by 5.0Β°F on the annual average β 64.9Β°F β 59.9Β°F.
Fremont gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.97 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 1.8% between Costa Mesa 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.
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 far is Fremont, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 390 mi and the route typically takes 7h 29m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fremont more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 1.8% higher than Costa Mesa (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 60.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 9.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Fremont?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 390 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Fremont, CA.