Moving from Independence, MO to Fremont, CA
It is 1844 mi and 31h 39m from Independence to Fremont — a cross-country move across 7 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.
1844 mi · 31h 39m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 29, I 680 |
| 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
| Independence | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Fremont is 24.9% more expensive than Independence on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $208,158 in Independence to $1,543,132 in Fremont, a 24.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Independence +2.6%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Independence | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 77°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.7" | 14.4" |
Expect 5.9°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fremont sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: INDEPENDENCE, MO US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Independence | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $59,480 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 38.4 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.7% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.97 |
Expect median household income to rise 24.9% — $59,480 → $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 Missouri 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
- 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.
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
How far is Fremont, CA from Independence, MO?
The driving distance is 1844 mi and the route typically takes 31h 39m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Independence?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $208,158 in Independence — a 641.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Independence vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $59,480 in Independence — a 196.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Independence 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 1844 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fremont more expensive than Independence?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 24.9% higher than Independence (115.613 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Independence and Fremont?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.9°F in Fremont vs 54.0°F in Independence (5.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 13.2 in. Annual precipitation: 14.4 in vs 44.7 in.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Independence?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $48,040 in the Independence MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,078,310 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 Independence.
City profiles: Independence, MO · Fremont, CA.