Between Albuquerque and Fremont, Fremont is the best place to live. It has a diverse culture a family-friendly environment and presents its residents with many outdoor activities. It has excellent weather compared to Albuquerque.
On the other hand, Albuquerque boasts of manageable traffic and a low cost of living compared to Fremont. The city is also popular for its high-quality education. Here, it is also easier to own a vehicle.
The only downfall of Albuquerque is its unhealthy job market and the city’s rising crime rates. The wages are not as competitive as its neighbors, too.
These factors make Fremont the better place to live in between the two.
Fremont is a livable city and an ideal place to raise a family.
It may have issues like the cost of living, but the wages here are also higher compared to Albuquerque.
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What are the pros and cons of Fremont vs. Albuquerque?
Fremont has easy access to major cities in California. It is also more livable than most cities and full of outdoor activities for you and your family. Albuquerque may be cheap, but the crimes are higher. The wages are also lower.
There are a lot of advantages when living in Fremont.
First of all, the crime rates in Fremont are way lower than in Albuquerque.
The city also has a more diverse culture and a family-friendly environment. Plus, as a resident, you can have all the outdoor activities your heart could ever desire.
And most important, Fremont has close access to many major cities in California.
Naturally, the city has issues. One of these concerns is that the traffic can and commute can be too long.
But let me discuss all these.
Fremont Living
Did you know that Fremont received the title of being the happiest city in the US in 2021? Aside from that distinction, a few more things make Fremont an ideal choice.
Pros
Here are a few things I am sure you would love when you move to Fremont.
- Ideal Location
- Great Weather
- Outdoor Activities
- Diverse Culture
Geographically, Fremont is in a location that makes the city accessible to major metros.
Aside from the shopping and exploring you can do in San Jose or San Francisco; this geographical location has a more critical impact. And that is access to job opportunities and amenities.
One such example is Silicon Valley.
Silicon Valley is about 21 minutes away from Fremont. San Jose, on the other hand, is only 22 minutes away. Also, note that San Francisco is 38 minutes away from Fremont.
Economically, Fremont benefits from its easy access to these major cities.
You can live in Fremont and work in Silicon Valley.
You can live in Fremont and shop in San Francisco.
No matter what it gives you, it would help if you never took this geographical advantage for granted.
I know you get to hear this all the time. But when people say that California weather is one of the factors people love most about the place, believe it because it is true.
However, you should know that the weather may not be the same all over California.
But in Fremont, the weather here is perfect.
It is sunny and warm enough for you to describe it as “comfortable.”
And this is not just in certain months of the year. The same type of weather is available almost all year round.
Because of the great weather, it is easy for you to go out and spend some time under the sun.
And what makes this city ideal is that once you are outside, you have a wide array of activities that you can do.
For instance, you can explore the culinary paradise that is Fremont. You can also look into the art scene (there are a lot of museums around).
And if you lead a more active lifestyle, you can go hiking or biking.
In Fremont, you never run out of things to do.
A lot of culturally-diverse people call Fremont home.
There are significant ethnic groups. There are also minorities here.
As such, the city presents a welcoming vibe to newcomers.
Aside from the welcoming community, the food is also diverse.
Cons
Of course, living in Fremont is not always about all these beautiful things.
Here are a few things you have to be in the loop of.
- Cost of Living
- Long Commutes
One of the significant issues with living in the Bay Area is the cost of living.
The places here have some of the highest living costs in the US.
One such example is Fremont.
In Fremont, the overall cost of living is above the national average. It is also more expensive than the California state average.
That means that if you live in Fremont, you have to earn more than the national average to have a comfortable lifestyle.
And yet another concern you have to be aware of in Fremont is its long commute.
The city is car-dependent. And here, commuting one way takes an average of 33.6 minutes. It is over and beyond the national average of 26.4 minutes.
If you are moving to Fremont, you must know how to entertain yourself and the kids on the road. You will spend many in traffic here.
Albuquerque Living
Living in Albuquerque means you get to have a wide array of outdoor activities to choose from. But aside from these, you will also get to meet friendly locals.
Also, the pace of life here is slower than in other major cities.
And finally, the traffic is manageable.
How good is that?
Pros
Here are a few things that should excite you when planning to move here.
- A Home to Rich Cultures and Ethnicities
- The Cost of Education
- Owning a Vehicle
In Albuquerque, it is common to find a mix of different nationalities.
The city is home to a mix of about 70 ethnicities. Here, you will find Middle Eastern, Asian, Native American, and many more cultures.
A society of varying nationalities and ethnicities creates an environment of vibrant mixtures of cultures and traditions that is charming and exciting.
Such a varying amount of cultures in one city reflects its food, celebrations, and traditions.
Also, you would always find yourself at home in Albuquerque. As an Asian, African-American, and Latino, you would, for sure, have a community in the city ready to welcome you with open arms.
Living in Albuquerque is advantageous if you consider getting an undergraduate, graduate, or even a doctorate.
The average cost of in-state tuition in New Mexico is about US$3,100 annually. You will surely get a high-quality education without putting a dent in your wallet with this amount.
Also, note that the quality of K-12 education in Albuquerque is fantastic. With an excellent K-12 education, your children will have a strong foundation that gets them ready for whatever type of education they want to pursue in the future.
As you already know, the cost of living in Albuquerque is lower than in most cities in the US.
The wages are lower, though. But with the lower wages, a low cost of living will not matter much.
You should know that there are rare (to no) state inspections for vehicles in this state.
And this is what makes New Mexico different from its neighboring states.
Safety inspections are also not popular here. Well, Bernalillo County tests for emissions as of this writing. But aside from the county, you will never hear of safety tests anymore.
You can also renew tags online. Such a process will not have you run from one place to another in processing your renewals. Also, they send the stickers to your mailing address. This part of the process is convenient to the highest level.
Cons
It is natural to say that there are downfalls when moving to Albuquerque.
Here are a few essential things that should concern you.
- The Minimum Wage
- Infrastructures
For many years since 2009, the minimum wage of Albuquerque sat at US$7.50 per hour. It was only around 2020 when the city saw an increase in minimum wages.
By the end of 2021, the minimum wages increased from US$10.50 to US$11.50.
While there was an increase in minimum wages, it is still not enough to compete with cities from other states.
For example, depending on the number of the company’s employees, minimum wages in California can run from US$14 to US$15 per hour. And that is a big difference compared to what Albuquerque is offering right now.
There are talks of increasing minimum wages by the end of 2023. But until then, the minimum wages in Albuquerque remain low.
An estimated one out of four roads in the Albuquerque rural area is in bad condition.
The condition of these roads is so poor that people believe traffic accidents and fatalities stem from these.
Also, the bridges in some areas need to see some improvements. These bridges have always been some of the worst in the state of New Mexico.
The same is true with the winding roads becoming more problematic to most drivers in some areas.
Within the city, there are bus routes that can effectively take you from Point A to Point B. But should you wish to go out of town, there are minimal options available.
It is a good thing owning a vehicle is accessible in Albuquerque. And you are lucky if you have. But what if you don’t have any car available?
The city needs some work done if you go down to the infrastructures.
Albuquerque or Fremont – Which is cheaper?
Comparing the two cities, Albuquerque is more affordable. Because to give you more context, Albuquerque is one of the cheapest cities to live in in the US. It should all reflect anywhere – housing, groceries, food, and a lot more.
| Living Expenses | Albuquerque | Chesapeake |
| Housing | 88 | 486.1 |
| Food & Groceries | 96 | 114.4 |
| Health | 81.1 | 103.5 |
| Utilities | 97.2 | 95 |
| Transportation | 89.4 | 124.5 |
Data is based on 100 = US National Average
>100 means more than the national average
<100 means cheaper than the national average
Housing/Rent
Fremont has housing costs that are way above the national average, if you should know something. According to the latest data, Fremont’s housing costs are 386.1% more than the national average.
On the other hand, Albuquerque has housing costs below the national average. The city has some of the most affordable houses in the US.
As of this writing, housing costs in Albuquerque are 12% below the national average.
The variance between the two cities speaks loads about the expenses you will incur for housing.
The variance between the two cities is enormous.
If cost is a significant contributor to your decision, the cost of housing should make or break the deal.
Utility Costs
In this aspect of your budget, Fremont is more affordable than Albuquerque.
But if you need to know something, the variance between the two is relatively small. Fremont is more affordable than Albuquerque in utilities by a mere 2.2%.
Both cities have numbers that are lower than the national average in utilities.
And because there is not much difference in utility costs, this should not determine your final decision.
Overall, your utility costs can vary depending on your usage.
Food and Groceries
Food and groceries are essential parts of your budget.
And just like my earlier findings, Albuquerque is more affordable when it comes to food and groceries.
Fremont is 14.4% more expensive than the national average for food and groceries. It means that residents in Fremont spend more on food and groceries than most Americans in other cities.
On the other hand, Albuquerque is 4% cheaper than the national average for food and groceries.
It is safe to assume that grocery items here are more affordable. And this should be beneficial to you in the long run, especially if you tend to cook food at home.
Transportation Costs
The cost of transportation in Fremont is higher compared to Albuquerque.
In Fremont, transportation costs are about 24.5% more expensive than the national average. On the other side of the coin, Albuquerque is cheaper than the national average by 10.6%.
The cheaper transportation costs in Albuquerque can be beneficial, especially if you tend to live away from work.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs present another glaring evidence that Albuquerque is the cheaper option.
For starters, Albuquerque is lower than the national average. On the other hand, Fremont is higher by 3.5%.
Albuquerque is more affordable – from medicines to professional fees and the like.
Health is an essential part of your budget pie.
With the pandemic raging in all corners of the globe, the priorities shifted, with more weight on health.
And with the significant variance between the two numbers could determine your decision to move.
Is Albuquerque bigger than Fremont?
When it comes to the land area, Fremont is smaller than Albuquerque. Albuquerque has a land area of about 187.2 square miles. Fremont has a land area of 88.46 square miles.
Fremont is smaller in size when it comes to each city’s population. Albuquerque has a population of 562,000. Fremont has a population of 234,000.
Also, when it comes to population density, Albuquerque comes higher. The population density in Albuquerque is at 3,002 per square mile. In Fremont, it is only at 2,943 people per square mile.
Is Albuquerque safer than Fremont?
One of the significant problems of Albuquerque is its increasing crime rates. The crime rate in Albuquerque is higher compared to Fremont. It only means that you will be safer in Fremont than in Albuquerque.
First of all, let us discuss the crime index.
Overall, the crime index in Fremont is 42.77. For Albuquerque, the crime index is 70.66.
It means that the residents of Fremont feel safer than the residents of Albuquerque.
The differences in crime rates between the two cities are glaring. And these differences tell us about how safe you are in Albuquerque versus how secure you are in Fremont.
You will be safer in Fremont.
For example, crimes like vandalism and theft are at moderate levels in Fremont at 52.17%. The number is low compared to Albuquerque, which is at 85.05%.
The rest of the crimes are lower in Fremont.
Another example is crimes related to drugs. In Fremont, it is only at 43.18%. In Albuquerque, it is at 85.16%.
In all types of crimes, Fremont is lower.
These numbers should be enough to prove that you will be safer in Fremont than in Albuquerque.
Is Fremont better than Albuquerque?
Fremont is better than Albuquerque in many ways. The city has better wages, great weather, and a low crime index. These factors should speak lots about Fremont.
Is it Fremont or Albuquerque?
Choosing between the two can be challenging. But consider what is essential for you.
For me, Albuquerque is cheaper. And that should make me choose Albuquerque over Fremont if costs matter that much.
But what matters to me is my safety. What matters to me is the security of my job. What matters is how the city can support me if I need a job.
What also matters is my safety when I drive out of town. It also matters that my wages are competitive for my family and me to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.
Between Albuquerque and Fremont, Fremont can provide me with all these.
True, Fremont is expensive, especially when it comes to housing costs. But the wages in Fremont are more competitive than in Albuquerque.
Also, the crime rates in Albuquerque should worry you.
Safety is an essential consideration before moving to another city.
And in that respect, Fremont is safer.
Overall, Fremont is better.
What do you think?
Let me know.