Columbus OH 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, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
906,480
Columbus +
Fremont
228,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 228,518 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.8 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 53.3% | 19.4% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.9% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $1,538,830 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Fremont
2388
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 9.8% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 16.7 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Fremont +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fremont + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 33.9 min | Columbus + |
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 $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA