Columbia 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 228,518 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.8 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 49.9% | 19.4% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 2.9% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 12.9% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $1,538,830 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Fremont
2388
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.8% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Fremont
59.6°F
Fremont +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 59.6°F | Fremont + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 16.7 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, 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
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 33.9 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia 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
Columbia, SC vs New York, NYColumbia, SC vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, SCColumbia, SC vs Houston, TXColumbia, SC vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, SC vs Philadelphia, PA