CostIndexUSA

Fremont, CA vs Kalamazoo, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fremont
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent
More AffordableMI
Kalamazoo
94.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Kalamazoo is significantly cheaper than Fremont — 18.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fremont, you would need $65,600 in Kalamazoo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing58.1%
Fremont
194.7
Kalamazoo
81.6
🛒 Groceries13.6%
Fremont
108.5
Kalamazoo
93.7
🚗 Transportation6.3%
Fremont
111.5
Kalamazoo
104.5
🏥 Healthcare6.2%
Fremont
100.9
Kalamazoo
94.6
Utilities42.5%
Fremont
172.6
Kalamazoo
99.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fremont to see what you'd need to earn in Kalamazoo to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Kalamazoo, MI
$65,600
$14,400 less needed in Kalamazoo

Formula: salary × (94.8 ÷ 115.6) = salary × 0.8201. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fremont, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
81.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Fremont has 58.1% lower housing costs compared to Kalamazoo.

Income & Job Market

Fremont, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
230,504
Top Industries
TechnologyManufacturingHealthcareRetailEducation

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
72,305
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingPharmaceuticalsFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fremont, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Kalamazoo, MI
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.