Fremont CA vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fremont
228,518
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
Riverside
22.4%
White
Fremont
19.4%
Riverside
39.2%
Riverside +
Black
Fremont
2.9%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Riverside
8.3%
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 50.1% | 22.4% | Fremont + |
| White | 19.4% | 39.2% | Riverside + |
| Black | 2.9% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Asian | 62.5% | 8.3% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Riverside
$88,575
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Riverside
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Riverside
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $176,350 | $88,575 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $73,378 | $33,716 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.0% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 12.5% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.7% | 25.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
Riverside
$648,603
Riverside +
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,538,830 | $648,603 | Riverside + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 56.3% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
Riverside
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
Riverside
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Riverside, 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 +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Riverside
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Riverside
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
Riverside
11.5%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 36.7% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 11.2% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 18.5% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.9% | 13.6% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.2% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 11.5% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
59.6°F
Fremont +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
16.7 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.6°F | 66.8°F | Fremont + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fremont
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Riverside, 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
Fremont +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 34.1 min | Fremont + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while riverside offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $648,603. On public safety, Riverside 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 Riverside 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%.
Compare More Cities
Fremont, CA vs New York, NYFremont, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fremont, CAFremont, CA vs Houston, TXFremont, CA vs Phoenix, AZFremont, CA vs Philadelphia, PA