Fremont CA vs Irvine CA — 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fremont
228,518
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
Irvine
39.3%
White
Fremont
19.4%
Irvine
38.7%
Irvine +
Black
Fremont
2.9%
Fremont +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Irvine
44.1%
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 50.1% | 39.3% | Fremont + |
| White | 19.4% | 38.7% | Irvine + |
| Black | 2.9% | 2.0% | Fremont + |
| Asian | 62.5% | 44.1% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 11.3% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Irvine
$129,647
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Irvine
$62,149
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Irvine
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Irvine
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $176,350 | $129,647 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $73,378 | $62,149 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.5% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 11.7% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.7% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
Fremont +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,538,830 | $1,566,872 | Fremont + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 43.8% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
Irvine
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
Irvine
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Irvine
19.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
Irvine
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Irvine
5.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Irvine
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 19.2% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 15.4% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.9% | 5.0% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.2% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
59.6°F
Fremont +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
16.7 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.6°F | 65.3°F | Fremont + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fremont
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fremont
33.9 min
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while fremont offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,538,830. On public safety, Irvine is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Irvine 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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