Moving from San Mateo, CA to Fremont, CA
Moving from San Mateo, CA to Fremont, CA is a 29 mi drive, about 39 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
29 mi Β· 39 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 92, I 880 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Oakland, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Fremont and San Mateo is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Fremont is 0.0% below San Mateo ($1,543,132 vs $1,686,905 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 14.4" |
Annual average temperatures in San Mateo (58.7Β°F) and Fremont (59.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA 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: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 38 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.97 |
Median household income in Fremont is 0.0% above San Mateo ($152,669 β $176,350, 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.
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
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 15.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fremont, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 29 mi and the route typically takes 39 min via CA 92 and I 880. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 8.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Fremont?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 29 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 San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Fremont, CA.