Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Fremont
228,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Fremont
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 228,518 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.8 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 62.9% | 19.4% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 2.9% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 12.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $1,538,830 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Fremont
503
Fremont +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Fremont
2388
Fremont +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Fremont + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Fremont + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Fremont
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 9.8% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 16.7 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 33.9 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Fremont is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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