Moving from Fremont, CA to Brownsville, TX
Cross-country relocations like Fremont, CA β Brownsville, TX 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
| Fremont | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Brownsville is 25.6% lower than Fremont β the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Brownsville: 25.6% below Fremont on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fremont -4.0%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fremont | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.4" | β |
Climate warms by 14.5Β°F on the annual average β 59.9Β°F β 74.4Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWARK, CA US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fremont | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $176,350 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 38.8 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 3.21 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 25.6% between Fremont and Brownsville (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Brownsville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Brownsville, TX from Fremont, CA?
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.
When is the best time to move from Fremont to Brownsville?
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.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Fremont?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $1,543,132 in Fremont β a 87.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fremont vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $176,350 in Fremont β a 72.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Brownsville compare to Fremont?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $72,050 in the Fremont MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Fremont?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 25.6% lower than Fremont (85.975 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fremont.
City profiles: Fremont, CA Β· Brownsville, TX.