Fremont, CA vs San Mateo, CA

Fremont is moderately more affordable than San Mateo, with a 10.6% lower cost of living index. Fremont scores 235 compared to 263 for San Mateo, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of San Mateo can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fremont is $2,905/month compared to $3,079/month in San Mateo — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fremont is more affordable at $1,289,400 median vs $1,563,200.

Median household income in Fremont is $176,350 compared to $152,669 in San Mateo (+15.5%). Fremont offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fremont spend roughly 19.8% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in San Mateo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (59.9°F vs 58.7°F). San Mateo receives more rainfall at 19.6" per year compared to 13.5" in Fremont.