City Comparison
Fremont vs San Bernardino
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fremont scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fremont
San Bernardino
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
San Bernardino is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Fremont.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fremont's average rent is
64% higher than San Bernardino's.
| Metric | Fremont | San Bernardino | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,957 | $1,803 | +64% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $250 | +8% |
| Monthly Total | $4,007 | $2,803 | +43% |
| Cost Index | 156 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fremont offers 58% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fremont delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fremont is estimated at
$95,000 vs $55,000 in San Bernardino.
| Metric | Fremont | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $100,250 | $63,500 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,263 idx | 51,210 idx |
| Household Income | $181,506 | $67,415 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
San Bernardino runs warmer on average — a 7.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, San Bernardino comes out ahead with 15 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — San Bernardino sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fremont | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.60°F | 66.80°F |
| Summer High | 75.60°F | 93.30°F |
| Winter Low | 42.90°F | 44.70°F |
| Rainfall | 20.20 in | 19.60 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 313 | 328 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
San Bernardino scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Bernardino leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fremont | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fremont is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, San Bernardino is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fremont has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fremont | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 226,442 | 222,044 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.01% |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 32.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fremont
Advantages
Median household income reaches $181,506, significantly outperforming regional and national medians
Fremont accounts for a major share of Silicon Valley advanced manufacturing and AI hardware leasing activity
Consistently ranks among the safest large cities in the United States with low violent crime rates
Home to top-tier educational institutions within the Fremont Unified School District
Extensive park systems and recreational assets including Lake Elizabeth and Central Park
Drawbacks
Median home values exceed $1.4 million, creating steep barriers to entry for prospective homebuyers
Average monthly apartment rent sits around $2,957, running roughly 60% above the U.S. average
High cost of living index significantly exceeding the national average
Severe shortage of industrial electrical capacity and high-end commercial spaces relative to surging corporate demand
Significant highway traffic congestion during peak commuting hours across regional corridors
San Bernardino
Advantages
More affordable cost of living compared to coastal California cities.
Proximity to diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, including mountains and deserts.
Growing logistics and transportation industry providing job opportunities.
Developing urban core with ongoing revitalization efforts.
Diverse and multicultural population contributing to a rich community fabric.
Drawbacks
Higher crime rates compared to state and national averages, particularly property crime and vehicle theft.
Housing costs are higher than the national average.
Car dependency is high, with public transportation options being less comprehensive.
Economic disparities exist within the population.
Perception of safety can be a concern for some residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fremont
#358California, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,957
Avg Salary
$100,250
Cost Index
156
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
313/yr
Avg Temp
59.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
82
Business
84
San Bernardino
#604California, USA
37.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,803
Avg Salary
$63,500
Cost Index
124
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.01%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
70
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Fremont and San Bernardino.
Open Cost Calculator