City Report · CA

Fremont

Pop. 228,295·94th most expensive in California·Fremont rents are up 13.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,358/mo
Year-over-Year
+13.9%
Month-over-Month
+1.5%
vs US Median
+$1,396
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Fremont · $3,358
More expensive than 94% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
34/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% above what Fremont's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$3,358/mo
Expected by trend
$3,114/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Fremont's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,425
1 BR
$2,760
2 BR
$3,360
3 BR
$4,303
4 BR+
$5,110
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$3,360/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,358 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$40,296/yr
At $3,358/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 13.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+13.9% YoY, +1.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Fremont, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 63.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
228,295
Median income
$181,506
Median age
39.1
Renters
39.2%
Age distribution
22.3%
20.1%
31.7%
14%
Under 1822.3%
18–3420.1%
35–5431.7%
55–6411.9%
65+14%
Gender
50.3%
49.7%
Male50.3%
Female49.7%
Race & ethnicity
17.2%
13.1%
63.8%
White17.2%
Black2.8%
Hispanic13.1%
Asian63.8%
Other3.1%
Education (25+)
13.4%
15.8%
63.9%
No HS diploma7%
HS diploma13.4%
Some college15.8%
Bachelor's+63.9%
Housing tenure
60.8%
39.2%
Owner60.8%
Renter39.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Fremont, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,567 → $3,358
up 30.8%
Income
$153,475 → $181,506
up 18.3%
Population
231,502 → 228,295
down 1.4%
Renter share
38.1% → 39.2%
+1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
60.1% → 63.9%
+3.8 pts
Median age
38.4 → 39.1
+0.7 yrs

Rent in Fremont, CA has increased 30.8% since 2021, going from about $2,567 per month to roughly $3,358 today. Household income in the area moved from $153,475 to $181,506 across the same window, up 18.3% versus 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 12.5 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 231,502 to 228,295 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.4% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 60.1% to 63.9%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Fremont, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View Fremont rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Fremont on your salary?

At $3,358/mo, how Fremont rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Fremont rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Fremont. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Fremont

About renting in Fremont, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Fremont is $3,358/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,425/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $3,360/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,760/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $4,303/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($181,506/yr), Fremont ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 13.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Fremont an affordable city for renters?

Fremont is considered very affordable for renters. At $3,358/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($181,506/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Fremont falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Fremont?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $134,000/year (~$64/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,358/mo in Fremont. The local median household income is $181,506/yr, meaning the typical Fremont household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Fremont?

Rent in Fremont has increased 13.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Fremont neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Fremont are 94538 ($3,187/mo), 94536 ($3,365/mo), and 94555 ($3,782/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Fremont is $3,358/mo.

How does Fremont rent compare to other cities in California?

Fremont is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #94 out of 381 tracked cities at $3,358/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Fremont?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Fremont ($3,358/mo): Hayward ($2,635/mo), Union City ($2,941/mo).

What percentage of Fremont residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.2% of Fremont households are renters, while 60.8% are owner-occupied. Fremont leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Fremont rent compare to the national average?

Fremont's median rent of $3,358/mo is $1,396 (71%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #94 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $3,358/mo, rent takes ~22% of Fremont's median household income ($181,506/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Fremont 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Fremont affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Fremont, CA

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