Fremont CA vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Fremont
19.4%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Fremont
2.9%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 102,866 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 50.1% | 8.9% | Fremont + |
| White | 19.4% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 2.9% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 62.5% | 1.7% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $176,350 | $52,512 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $73,378 | $29,511 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,697 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.0% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 22.6% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.7% | 29.4% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,538,830 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 58.8% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 39.7% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 15.2% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 20.3% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.9% | 12.6% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.3% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 18.2% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
59.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Fremont, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 38.0 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fremont
75.0%
Fremont +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fremont + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fremont
33.9 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fremont. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fremont 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%.
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