City Comparison
Fremont vs San Jose
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fremont scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fremont
San Jose
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fremont is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in San Jose.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fremont's average rent is
13% lower than San Jose's.
| Metric | Fremont | San Jose | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,957 | $3,395 | -13% |
| Groceries | $450 | $480 | -6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $195 | -8% |
| Transport | $150 | $140 | +7% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $270 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $4,007 | $4,480 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 156 | 175 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Jose offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Jose delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fremont is estimated at
$95,000 vs $95,000 in San Jose.
| Metric | Fremont | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $100,250 | $115,000 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $95,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,263 idx | 65,714 idx |
| Household Income | $181,506 | $146,427 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — San Jose sees 1.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fremont | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.60°F | 61.70°F |
| Summer High | 75.60°F | 82.20°F |
| Winter Low | 42.90°F | 43.20°F |
| Rainfall | 20.20 in | 20.30 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 1.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 313 | 319 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 60.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
| Metric | Fremont | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | 65.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Jose is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x 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 Jose has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fremont | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 226,442 | 989,814 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.10% |
| 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 Jose
Advantages
Median household income in San Jose is exceptionally high at $146,427, nearly double the national average per the U.S. Census Bureau.
The city enjoys an outstanding climate featuring approximately 319 sunny days per year and mild seasonal temperatures.
San Jose's computer and mathematical occupational sectors command a mean hourly wage of $97.15, vastly outperforming national benchmarks.
The local economy is anchored by global tech innovators and massive employers, offering unmatched career growth in engineering and software.
Educational attainment is remarkably high, with nearly 49% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Drawbacks
The cost of living runs substantially above the national average, driven by high RPP indices and steep consumer prices.
Average monthly rent for apartments exceeds $3,300, placing heavy financial strain on renters.
Median home values surpass $1.2 million, creating significant barriers to entry for prospective homebuyers.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on regional freeways can lead to frustrating daily transit times.
Property crime and vehicle break-ins remain persistent urban challenges across certain commercial corridors.
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 Jose
#492California, USA
53.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,395
Avg Salary
$115,000
Cost Index
175
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
319/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
79
Business
85
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