Baltimore MD vs Fremont CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Fremont
228,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Baltimore +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 228,518 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.8 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 27.4% | 19.4% | Baltimore + |
| Black | 60.0% | 2.9% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.9% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $1,538,830 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Fremont
2388
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 503 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2388 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.8% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 59.6°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 16.7 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 33.9 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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