Charleston WV 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, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
47,918
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Fremont
38.8
Fremont +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 228,518 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 38.8 | Fremont + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 76.6% | 19.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 2.9% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 12.9% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Fremont
60.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $1,538,830 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 60.2% | Charleston + |
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, WV | 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
40.2%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.8% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 59.6°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 16.7 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Fremont +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fremont + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 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 $164,532. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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