City Comparison
Fremont vs San Francisco
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fremont scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fremont
San Francisco
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fremont is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in San Francisco.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fremont's average rent is
34% lower than San Francisco's.
| Metric | Fremont | San Francisco | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,957 | $4,475 | -34% |
| Groceries | $450 | $550 | -18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $210 | -14% |
| Transport | $150 | $105 | +43% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $310 | -13% |
| Monthly Total | $4,007 | $5,650 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 156 | 168 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fremont offers similar 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 $85,000 in San Francisco.
| Metric | Fremont | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $100,250 | $100,200 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $85,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,263 idx | 59,643 idx |
| Household Income | $181,506 | $140,970 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.1°F of each other.
| Metric | Fremont | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.60°F | 57.50°F |
| Summer High | 75.60°F | 65.00°F |
| Winter Low | 42.90°F | 46.10°F |
| Rainfall | 20.20 in | 21.00 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 313 | 313 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
San Francisco scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Francisco leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fremont | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 80.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 87.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | 62.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Francisco is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Fremont.
From a growth perspective, Fremont is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fremont | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 226,442 | 826,079 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.90% |
| 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 Francisco
Advantages
Median household income stands high at $140,970 per the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Access to world-class public transportation and high walkability relative to most US cities.
Thriving innovation and tech startup ecosystem with robust venture capital presence.
Abundant natural beauty, featuring Golden Gate Park and immediate proximity to coastal trails.
Renowned culinary scene featuring diverse international cuisine and Michelin-starred dining.
Drawbacks
Average rent prices remain among the highest in the United States, averaging over $4,400 per month.
Overall cost of living index is significantly elevated compared to the national average.
High property crime rates and visible street-level challenges in select downtown commercial corridors.
Steep home purchase prices with average single-family homes exceeding $1.4 million per Zillow data.
State and local tax burdens are among the highest in the nation.
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 Francisco
#545California, USA
48.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$4,475
Avg Salary
$100,200
Cost Index
168
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
80.0/100
Walkability
87.0/100
Sunny Days
313/yr
Avg Temp
57.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
79
Business
82
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