Moving from Denver, CO to Fremont, CA
Relocating 1274 mi from Denver to Fremont is a 22h 2m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1274 mi · 22h 2m by car · CO → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, I 680 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.3% above Denver — 105.782 → 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.3% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 77°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 14.4" |
Expect 8.5°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Fremont — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.97 |
Expect median household income to rise 9.3% — $91,681 → $176,350 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Fremont more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 9.3% higher than Denver (115.613 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Fremont?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.9°F in Fremont vs 51.4°F in Denver (8.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.4 in vs 15.4 in.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fremont, CA from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 1274 mi and the route typically takes 22h 2m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $539,666 in Denver — a 185.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $91,681 in Denver — a 92.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Denver 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 1274 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Fremont, CA.