Moving from Ontario, CA to Fremont, CA
Relocating between Ontario, CA and Fremont, CA is a 389 mi drive β 7h 28m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
389 mi Β· 7h 28m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 210 |
| 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
| Ontario | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 8.6% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.6% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $672,742 to $1,543,132 moving to Fremont.
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 14.4" |
Expect 6.9Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Fremont gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.97 |
Expect median household income to rise 8.6% β $82,806 β $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.
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.
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 β 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
Is Fremont more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 8.6% higher than Ontario (115.613 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fremont, CA from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 389 mi and the route typically takes 7h 28m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 129.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 113.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Fremont?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 389 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Fremont, CA.