Moving from Fremont, CA to Alexandria, VA
It is 2839 mi and 50h 6m from Fremont to Alexandria — a cross-country move across 12 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2839 mi · 50h 6m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → MD → VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → MD → VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fremont | Alexandria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 108.884 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 106.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 104.847 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 151.134 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.8% moving from Fremont to Alexandria — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,543,132 in Fremont to $676,205 in Alexandria, a 5.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fremont -4.0%, Alexandria -0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fremont | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 30°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 13.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.4" | 41.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 59.9°F vs 59.3°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Alexandria sees 13.7 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK, CA US, WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fremont | Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 156,788 |
| Median household income | $176,350 | $113,638 |
| Median age | 38.8 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.08 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.8% — $176,350 → $113,638 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Alexandria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 384,770 | $101,420 |
| Management Occupations | 304,760 | $154,420 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 296,400 | $48,960 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 244,010 | $35,930 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 239,700 | $129,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Alexandria averages 13.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Virginia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Alexandria more expensive than Fremont?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Alexandria is 5.8% lower than Fremont (108.884 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Alexandria compared to Fremont?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $676,205 in Alexandria vs $1,543,132 in Fremont — a 56.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fremont vs Alexandria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,638 in Alexandria vs $176,350 in Fremont — a 35.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fremont and Alexandria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.3°F in Alexandria vs 59.9°F in Fremont (0.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 13.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 41.8 in vs 14.4 in.
How far is Alexandria, VA from Fremont, CA?
The driving distance is 2839 mi and the route typically takes 50h 6m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fremont to Alexandria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2839 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Alexandria compare to Fremont?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA vs $72,050 in the Fremont MSA, on total employment of 3,092,070 and 2,422,210 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 Fremont.
City profiles: Fremont, CA · Alexandria, VA.