Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Fremont
228,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Fremont
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 228,518 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.8 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 41.5% | 19.4% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 2.9% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 12.9% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Charlotte +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $1,538,830 | Charlotte + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Fremont
2388
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 9.8% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Fremont
59.6°F
Fremont +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 59.6°F | Fremont + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 16.7 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 33.9 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while charlotte offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,070. On public safety, Charlotte 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%.
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA