Fullerton vs Fremont: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Fullerton, California compare to Fremont, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Fullerton is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 36% lower in Fullerton compared to Fremont, while rent is 30% lower.
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Fremont, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $791,000 | $1,231,500 | -35.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,989 | $2,824 | -29.6% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $99,279 | $169,023 | -41.3% |
| Per Capita Income | $46,182 | $68,357 | -32.4% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 13.3% | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 8.7% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 142,280 | 228,795 | -37.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Fullerton
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Fremont
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Fullerton costs $791,000 compared to $1,231,500 in Fremont — a 36% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,989/mo in Fullerton vs $2,824/mo in Fremont.
- Income: Median household income is $99,279 in Fullerton and $169,023 in Fremont.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).