Fremont CA vs Seattle 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fremont
228,518
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Fremont
19.4%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Fremont
2.9%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Seattle
17.2%
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 50.1% | 19.9% | Fremont + |
| White | 19.4% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 2.9% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 62.5% | 17.2% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.2% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Seattle
$121,984
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Seattle
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $176,350 | $121,984 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $73,378 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 9.9% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.7% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
Seattle
$871,599
Seattle +
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,538,830 | $871,599 | Seattle + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 44.3% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
Fremont +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Fremont + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Seattle
22.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Seattle
6.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 22.2% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 15.3% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.9% | 6.1% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 19.0% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
59.6°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.6°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 37.5 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fremont
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fremont
33.9 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while seattle offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $871,599. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle 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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