Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Fremont
228,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Fremont
19.4%
Fremont +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 228,518 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.8 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 11.7% | 19.4% | Fremont + |
| Black | 76.8% | 2.9% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 12.9% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $1,538,830 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Fremont
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Fremont
13.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.8% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.9% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 59.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 16.7 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Fremont +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fremont + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 33.9 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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%.
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