Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carlsbad, CA
VS
Fremont, CA
🏆 Carlsbad leads 14 of 22 categories
Carlsbad
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$134,139
Violent Crime Index
52
Population
114,745
Fremont
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$169,023 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
52 ✓ Safer
Population
228,795 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carlsbad, CA
Pros
Violent crime is well below the national average (199.1 vs 380/100k)
Homes cost $161k less ($1,070,500 vs $1,231,500)
Rent averages $347/mo less ($2,477 vs $2,824)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Fremont
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 58°F
Cons
Median income trails Fremont by $34,884/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 4.0%)
Fremont, CA
Pros
Households earn $34,884 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (195.7 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (4.0%)
Cons
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Pricier housing — median home is $1,231,500
Higher rents — median is $2,824/mo
Longer commutes — 33.1 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Carlsbad
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 111.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Carlsbad
Median Home Value
$161k less
$1,070,500 vs $1,231,500
Fremont
Median Income
$34,884
$169,023 vs $134,139/yr
Fremont
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
4.0% vs 6.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Fremont, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $1,070,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,231,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,477⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,824⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $134,139 | $169,023 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 4.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.5 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 33.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 24.8% | 28.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 60 ✓ Safer | 75 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 | 52 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 24.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 59.5% | 61.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.1% ✓ Higher | 93.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Carlsbad Unified | Fremont Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.0°F ✓ Warmer | 58.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 74.2°F | 77.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 14.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,745 | 228,795 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 42.4 ✓ Older | 38.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% ✓ Higher | 60.7% |
| Under 18 | 22.8% | 23.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.8% ✓ More | 13.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carlsbad's cost of living index is 111.5 vs Fremont's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Carlsbad is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Carlsbad leads 14 of 22 categories. Carlsbad wins 14 and Fremont wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carlsbad to Fremont or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($1,070,500 vs $1,231,500 median home), income ($134,139 vs $169,023), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carlsbad, CA and Fremont, CA are about 400 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.