Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 228,518 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.8 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 72.9% | 19.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 2.9% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 12.9% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Fremont
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.3% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $1,538,830 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Fremont
2388
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Fremont
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.8% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Fremont
59.6°F
Fremont +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 59.6°F | Fremont + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 16.7 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 33.9 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Fremont has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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