Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fremont, CA
VS
Norwalk, CT
🏆 Norwalk leads 12 of 23 categories
Fremont
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$169,023 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
52
Population
228,795 ✓ Larger
Norwalk
Connecticut
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$97,879
Violent Crime Index
22 ✓ Safer
Population
91,050
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fremont, CA
Pros
Households earn $71,144 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (195.7 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (4.0%)
More college-educated — 61.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 38°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 85°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,231,500
Higher rents — median is $2,824/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Norwalk
Norwalk, CT
Pros
Homes cost $740k less ($491,800 vs $1,231,500)
57% less violent crime than Fremont
Rent averages $963/mo less ($1,861 vs $2,824)
Violent crime is well below the national average (85.0 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Fremont
Cons
Median income trails Fremont by $71,144/yr
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fremont
Median Income
$71,144
$169,023 vs $97,879/yr
Fremont
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
4.0% vs 5.9% unemployment
Norwalk
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 106.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Norwalk
Violent Crime
57% lower
85.0 vs 195.7 per 100k
Norwalk
Median Home Value
$740k less
$491,800 vs $1,231,500
Norwalk
Summer Heat
7.8°F warmer
July avg high 84.8°F vs 77.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Norwalk, CT |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 106.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $1,231,500⚠ High | $491,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,824⚠ High | $1,861⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $169,023 ✓ Higher | $97,879 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.1 min⚠ High | 27.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 28.1% ✓ Higher | 11.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 75 | 42 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 | 22 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High | 72 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 24.0:1 | 12.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 61.9% ✓ Higher | 42.6% |
| High School or Higher | 93.1% ✓ Higher | 88.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fremont Unified | Norwalk School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.1°F ✓ Warmer | 38.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 77.0°F | 84.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.4" ✓ Drier | 51.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 34.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 228,795 ✓ Larger | 91,050 |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 40.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.7% ✓ Higher | 54.8% |
| Under 18 | 23.0% ✓ More | 19.4% |
| Over 65 | 13.0% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fremont's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Norwalk's 106.5 (US average = 100).
Norwalk is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Norwalk leads 12 of 23 categories. Fremont wins 11 and Norwalk wins 12. 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 Fremont to Norwalk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($1,231,500 vs $491,800 median home), income ($169,023 vs $97,879), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fremont, CA and Norwalk, CT are about 2,573 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.