Moving from Fairfield, CA to Fremont, CA
It is a 66 mi drive, roughly 1h 25m, between Fairfield, CA and Fremont, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
66 mi · 1h 25m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 680, I 80, CA 12 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.6% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $609,269 to $1,543,132 moving to Fremont.
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 77°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 14.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Fairfield (61.7°F) and Fremont (59.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fremont gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.97 |
Fremont households earn about 6.6% more than Fairfield at the median — $102,321 → $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 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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fremont, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 66 mi and the route typically takes 1h 25m via I 680 and I 80. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fremont more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 6.6% higher than Fairfield (115.613 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield 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 66 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 Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 153.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Fremont?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.9°F in Fremont vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (1.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.4 in vs 24.5 in.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 72.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Fremont, CA.