Cambridge MA 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)
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
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
Cambridge
117,794
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 228,518 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 38.8 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 57.5% | 19.4% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 10.5% | 2.9% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 12.9% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Fremont
$73,378
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Fremont
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Fremont
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Fremont
62.7%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $73,378 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.3% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 62.7% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Cambridge +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $1,538,830 | Cambridge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Fremont
2388
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Fremont
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Fremont
4.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Fremont
7.3%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 9.8% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 4.9% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 7.3% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Fremont
16.7 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cambridge +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 33.9 min | Cambridge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while cambridge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,041,988. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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