Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Fremont
228,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Fremont
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 228,518 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 44.0% | 19.4% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 2.9% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 12.9% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Fremont
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $1,538,830 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Fremont
2388
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.8% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 59.6°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 16.7 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 33.9 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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