Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Fremont, CA
Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Fremont, CA covers 89 mi and about 1h 53m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
89 mi · 1h 53m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 880, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Hayward, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Fremont is 7.3% higher than Santa Rosa, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Fremont is 7.3% above Santa Rosa — $718,726 vs $1,543,132 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 60°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 77°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 14.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Rosa (59.0°F) and Fremont (59.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Fremont gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.97 |
Median household income in Fremont is 7.3% above Santa Rosa ($97,410 vs $176,350, ACS 5-year 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 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.
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.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Santa Rosa and Fremont?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 59.9°F in Fremont vs 59.0°F in Santa Rosa (0.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.4 in vs 31.5 in.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa — a 81.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fremont more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 7.3% higher than Santa Rosa (115.613 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa 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 89 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fremont, CA from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 89 mi and the route typically takes 1h 53m via US 101 and I 880. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fremont compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa — a 114.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA · Fremont, CA.