Fremont CA vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Fremont
19.4%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Fremont
2.9%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 118,578 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 50.1% | 5.7% | Fremont + |
| White | 19.4% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 2.9% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 62.5% | 1.3% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 8.9% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
45.8%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $176,350 | $63,900 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $73,378 | $46,062 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 16.3% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.7% | 45.8% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,538,830 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 46.8% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 42.7% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 13.1% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 17.4% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.9% | 12.8% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.4% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 14.4% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
59.6°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
16.7 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fremont
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fremont
33.9 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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%.
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