Fremont CA vs Grand Rapids MI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
11.3%
White
Fremont
19.4%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Fremont
2.9%
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 197,768 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 50.1% | 11.3% | Fremont + |
| White | 19.4% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 2.9% | 17.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 62.5% | 2.9% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
40.1%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $176,350 | $65,526 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $73,378 | $33,953 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.0% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 18.6% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.7% | 40.1% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,538,830 | $309,801 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 54.6% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
14.0%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 36.4% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.4% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 18.9% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.9% | 9.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.6% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 14.0% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
59.6°F
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Grand Rapids +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.6°F | 49.1°F | Grand Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 38.3 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fremont
75.0%
Fremont +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fremont + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fremont
33.9 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids 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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