Moving from Rochester, MN to Fremont, CA
A 1986 mi cross-country move between Rochester and Fremont is 34h 22m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1986 mi · 34h 22m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → SD → MN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → SD → MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, US 14 |
| 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
| Rochester | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Fremont is 27.3% more expensive than Rochester 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 $339,455 in Rochester to $1,543,132 in Fremont, a 27.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 7°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 77°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 14.4" |
Annual average temperature jumps 15.1°F — 44.8°F in Rochester vs 59.9°F in Fremont, per 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: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.97 |
Fremont households earn about 27.3% more than Rochester at the median — $87,767 → $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.
Moving between Minnesota 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.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.1°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $339,455 in Rochester — a 354.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Rochester 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 1986 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fremont, CA from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1986 mi and the route typically takes 34h 22m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $87,767 in Rochester — a 100.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fremont more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 27.3% higher than Rochester (115.613 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Fremont?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.9°F in Fremont vs 44.8°F in Rochester (15.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 53.1 in. Annual precipitation: 14.4 in vs 34.7 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN · Fremont, CA.