CCCityCheck
SafetyCostCitiesProvidersSearch

San Jose vs Fremont: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

San Jose is 3% more expensive than Fremont. San Jose is 2% safer. San Jose population: 989,814. Fremont population: 226,442.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingFremont
SafetyTie
HousingFremont

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: San Jose vs Fremont

Fremont is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 175 vs 180 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 5 index points.

CategorySan JoseFremont
Overall Index180175
Housing$5,251/moIndex: 295$5,073/moIndex: 285
Groceries$472/moIndex: 115$459/moIndex: 112
Transportation$403/moIndex: 115$392/moIndex: 112
Healthcare$358/moIndex: 112$352/moIndex: 110
Utilities$216/moIndex: 98$211/moIndex: 96

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: San Jose vs Fremont

San Jose is 2% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25.9 per 1,000 residents vs Fremont's 26.3. San Jose earns a C+ safety grade compared to Fremont's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

C+

San Jose

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate25.9/1K
TrendDeclining
C+

Fremont

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate26.3/1K
TrendImproving
MetricSan JoseFremont
Overall Crime Rate25.9/1K26.3/1K
Violent Crime Rate498.7483.4
Property Crime Rate2088.92148.7
Murder Rate8.58.3
Assault Rate310.2332.8
Robbery Rate102.260.3
Burglary Rate233.4314.1
Theft Rate1440.11560.3
Vehicle Theft Rate394.7532.7

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In San Jose, you have a 1 in 39 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 38 in Fremont.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for San Jose. A full comparison requires both cities.

San Jose Climate Overview

Annual High70.9°F
Annual Low49.9°F
Annual Rain14.7"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months9
Best MonthAugust
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Jose cheaper than Fremont?
Fremont is 3% more affordable than San Jose, with a cost of living index of 175 vs 180 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $5,251/mo in San Jose vs $5,073/mo in Fremont.
Is San Jose safer than Fremont?
San Jose is 2% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25.9 per 1,000 residents vs Fremont's 26.3. San Jose earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to San Jose or Fremont?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose is safer (C+ grade). Fremont is more affordable (index 175 vs 180). San Jose has a population of 989,814 and Fremont has 226,442. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is San Jose compared to Fremont?
San Jose has a population of 989,814 and Fremont has 226,442. San Jose is 337% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in San Jose or Fremont?
Housing is cheaper in Fremont. Estimated monthly housing costs: San Jose $5,251/mo vs Fremont $5,073/mo. That's based on a housing index of 295 vs 285 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

C+
San Jose Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
Fremont Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety, cost of living, climate, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities