Escondido CA 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)

Escondido, CA

California · Population: 107,066

  • Median HH Income$64,484
  • Median Home Price$849,335
  • Unemployment6.4%
  • Bachelor's+14.7%

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
Escondido
107,066
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Escondido +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Escondido
13.7%
Fremont
19.4%
Fremont +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Fremont
2.9%
Fremont +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Fremont
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Fremont
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Fremont
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Escondido +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Fremont
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Fremont
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Fremont
16.7 in

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Escondido +
Fremont
33.9 min

Which City is Right for You?

Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while escondido offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $849,335. On public safety, Fremont is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. 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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About Escondido & Fremont