Columbus GA 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)

Columbus, GA

Georgia · Population: 204,383

  • Median HH Income$56,622
  • Median Home Price$175,194
  • Unemployment6.5%
  • Bachelor's+29.7%

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
Columbus
204,383
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Fremont
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Fremont
2388

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Fremont
13.9%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Fremont
59.6°F
Fremont +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Fremont +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Fremont
33.9 min

Which City is Right for You?

Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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

About Columbus & Fremont