Fremont CA vs Kent WA — 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%

Kent, WA

Washington · Population: 84,389

  • Median HH Income$72,867
  • Median Home Price$657,911
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+27.0%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
Kent
14.1%
White
Fremont
19.4%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Fremont
2.9%
Fremont +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
Kent
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Kent
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
Kent
27.0%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
Kent
$657,911
Kent +
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
Fremont +
Kent
3409

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Kent
25.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Kent
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
Kent
10.3%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
59.6°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
Kent
39.1 in

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fremont
33.9 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +

Which City is Right for You?

Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while kent offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $657,911. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Fremont & Kent