Fremont CA vs Renton 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
Renton
44.4%
White
Fremont
19.4%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Fremont
2.9%
Fremont +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Renton
39.2%
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 75,721 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 50.1% | 44.4% | Fremont + |
| White | 19.4% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 2.9% | 2.2% | Fremont + |
| Asian | 62.5% | 39.2% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 6.8% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Renton
$162,099
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Renton
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $176,350 | $162,099 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $73,378 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 5.8% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.7% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
Renton
$765,686
Renton +
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,538,830 | $765,686 | Renton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 45.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
Fremont +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Fremont + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Renton
24.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
Renton
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
Renton
8.9%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 24.0% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 16.0% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.9% | 9.1% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.1% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 8.9% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
59.6°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.6°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 40.1 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fremont
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fremont
33.9 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while renton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,686. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton 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%.
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