Fremont CA vs Providence RI — 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%

Providence, RI

Rhode Island · Population: 190,214

  • Median HH Income$66,772
  • Median Home Price$429,449
  • Unemployment7.4%
  • Bachelor's+34.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
Providence
32.8%
White
Fremont
19.4%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Fremont
2.9%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
Providence
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
Providence
34.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
Providence
41.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
Providence
1303
Providence +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
Providence
12.1%

Climate

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

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fremont
33.9 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +

Which City is Right for You?

Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Fremont & Providence