Food
What groceries and eating out cost in and around Fremont, how fast those prices are rising, and the size of the local food scene.
Click any number, card or table row to open its source in a new tab.
Figures last checked Oct 26, 2026. Each figure shows the date of its own source.
What food costs
Living-wage food budget, two adults and two kids, per month
$1,240Opens the source in a new tab: MIT Living Wage Calculator, Alameda County, CaliforniaLiving-wage food budget, one adult, per month
$424Opens the source in a new tab: MIT Living Wage Calculator, Alameda County, CaliforniaNo agency publishes Fremont-only food prices. The budgets above are Alameda County living-wage estimates from MIT, and the price changes below cover the San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward area, which includes Fremont.
How fast food prices are rising
Consumer Price Index for the San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward area, which includes Fremont.
Grocery prices, change over the past year
2.2%Opens the source in a new tab: BLS, Consumer Price Index, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward – August 2026 (released Sep 11, 2026)Restaurant prices, change over the past year
4.1%Opens the source in a new tab: BLS, Consumer Price Index, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward – August 2026All food, change over the past year
3.1%Opens the source in a new tab: BLS, Consumer Price Index, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward – August 2026Food price inflation, year over year
Each August, 2018–2026| Item | Groceries | Restaurants | All items |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2018 | -0.4% | 5.7% | 4.3% |
| Aug 2019 | 1.0% | 5.9% | 2.7% |
| Aug 2020 | 7.2% | 3.6% | 1.6% |
| Aug 2021 | 5.7% | 4.5% | 3.7% |
| Aug 2022 | 11.6% | 7.1% | 5.7% |
| Aug 2023 | 3.5% | 6.4% | 3.4% |
| Aug 2024 | -0.4% | 4.7% | 2.7% |
| Aug 2025 | 4.3% | 2.7% | 2.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 2.2% | 4.1% | 3.4% |
GroceriesRestaurantsAll items
BLS Consumer Price Index news releases, San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward (CPI-U). Of the eight Augusts shown, grocery inflation was highest in August 2022, at 11.6%.View source: BLS: Consumer Price Index, San Francisco area (opens in a new tab)
Price index levels
1982–84 = 100| Item | Groceries | Restaurants |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2018 | 250.7 | 310.8 |
| Aug 2019 | 253.4 | 329.2 |
| Aug 2020 | 271.6 | 341.3 |
| Aug 2021 | 287.0 | 356.5 |
| Aug 2022 | 320.2 | 381.9 |
| Aug 2023 | 331.6 | 406.4 |
| Aug 2024 | 330.1 | 425.5 |
| Aug 2025 | 344.5 | 437.1 |
| Aug 2026 | 352.0 | 455.0 |
GroceriesRestaurants
BLS, same series. From August 2018 to August 2026 the restaurant index rose 46% and the grocery index 40%.View source: BLS: Consumer Price Index, San Francisco area (opens in a new tab)
Grocery budgets in detail
Grocery costs and budgets
| Measure | Value | Covers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery prices (food at home) change over the past year, SF–Oakland–Hayward CPI Metro-level CPI-U (series CUURS49BSAF11); BLS does not publish a Fremont-only index. Not seasonally adjusted. Read Oct 24, 2026. | 2.2% | Aug 2025–Aug 2026 | BLS, Consumer Price Index, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward – August 2026 (released Sep 11, 2026) (opens in a new tab) |
| Food-at-home price index level (1982–84 = 100), SF–Oakland–Hayward Metro-level; series CUURS49BSAF11. Read Oct 24, 2026. | 352.0 | Aug 2026 | BLS, Consumer Price Index, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward – August 2026 (opens in a new tab) |
| All food prices change over the past year, SF–Oakland–Hayward CPI Metro-level; all-items CPI rose 3.4% over the same period. Read Oct 24, 2026. | 3.1% | Aug 2025–Aug 2026 | BLS, Consumer Price Index, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward – August 2026 (opens in a new tab) |
| Annual food cost for one adult in a living-wage budget, Alameda County County-level; no Fremont-only figure. Equals about $424/month. Living wage for 1 adult: $32.31/hr. Read Oct 24, 2026. | $5,083 | 2026 (updated Feb 15, 2026) | MIT Living Wage Calculator, Alameda County, California (opens in a new tab) |
| Annual food cost for two adults and two children in a living-wage budget, Alameda County County-level; same food figure whether one or both adults work. Equals about $1,240/month. Living wage, 2 adults both working: $44.65/hr each. Read Oct 24, 2026. | $14,875 | 2026 (updated Feb 15, 2026) | MIT Living Wage Calculator, Alameda County, California (opens in a new tab) |
| How much more a 150-item basket costs at Safeway than at WinCo, Bay Area survey Bay Area-wide shopper survey, not Fremont-specific. Same survey: Safeway 39% above Walmart and 16% above Target; WinCo ~31%, Walmart ~26%, Grocery Outlet ~23%, Trader Joe's ~22% below the all-store average. Read Oct 24, 2026. | 49% | 2025 (article updated Nov 2025) | Bay Area Consumers' Checkbook, Which Grocery Stores Offer the Best Prices and Quality (opens in a new tab) |
Eating out
Restaurants and other eating places in Fremont
417Opens the source in a new tab: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census, Accommodation and Food Services (EC2272BASIC), Fremont cityFull-service (sit-down) restaurants
162Opens the source in a new tab: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census, Accommodation and Food Services (EC2272BASIC), Fremont cityCounter and fast-food restaurants
179Opens the source in a new tab: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census, Accommodation and Food Services (EC2272BASIC), Fremont cityRestaurant and bar sales per year
$632,159,000Opens the source in a new tab: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census, Accommodation and Food Services (EC2272BASIC), Fremont cityEating out, in detailShow details
Eating out, in detail
| Measure | Value | Covers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant prices (food away from home) change over the past year, SF–Oakland–Hayward CPI Metro-level CPI-U (series CUURS49BSEFV). Read Oct 24, 2026. | 4.1% | Aug 2025–Aug 2026 | BLS, Consumer Price Index, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward – August 2026 (opens in a new tab) |
| Food-away-from-home price index level (1982–84 = 100), SF–Oakland–Hayward Metro-level; series CUURS49BSEFV. Read Oct 24, 2026. | 455.0 | Aug 2026 | BLS, Consumer Price Index, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward – August 2026 (opens in a new tab) |
| Restaurants and other eating places in Fremont (NAICS 7225) Employer establishments: 162 full-service, 179 limited-service, 73 snack/nonalcoholic beverage bars, 3 cafeterias/buffets. 6,093 employees; $567.6 million in sales. Read Oct 24, 2026. | 417 | 2022 | U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census, Accommodation and Food Services (EC2272BASIC), Fremont city (opens in a new tab) |
| Full-service (sit-down) restaurants in Fremont NAICS 722511; $255.6 million in sales, 2,568 employees. Read Oct 24, 2026. | 162 | 2022 | U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census, Accommodation and Food Services (EC2272BASIC), Fremont city (opens in a new tab) |
| Limited-service (counter / fast-food) restaurants in Fremont NAICS 722513; $248.6 million in sales, 2,595 employees. Read Oct 24, 2026. | 179 | 2022 | U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census, Accommodation and Food Services (EC2272BASIC), Fremont city (opens in a new tab) |
| Annual sales at Fremont food services and drinking places NAICS 722 (451 establishments, 6,638 employees); published as $632,159 thousand. Read Oct 24, 2026. | $632,159,000 | 2022 | U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census, Accommodation and Food Services (EC2272BASIC), Fremont city (opens in a new tab) |
Where to shop
Supermarkets and grocery stores
44Opens the source in a new tab: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census, Retail Trade (EC2244BASIC), Fremont citySpecialty food stores (meat, produce, other)
14Opens the source in a new tab: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census, Retail Trade (EC2244BASIC), Fremont cityCertified farmers’ markets
3Niles (Saturday), Irvington (Sunday) and Kaiser (Thursday), year-round.Opens the source in a new tab: California Department of Food and Agriculture, Certified Farmers' Markets by CountyGrocery sales per year
$502,718,000Opens the source in a new tab: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Economic Census, Retail Trade (EC2244BASIC), Fremont cityStores in Fremont by type
Retail establishments, 2022| Item | Stores |
|---|---|
| Food and beverage stores | 88 |
| Sporting goods, hobby and other | 66 |
| Car and parts dealers | 57 |
| Furniture, electronics and appliances | 48 |
| Health and personal care | 44 |
| Gas stations | 41 |
| Clothing and accessories | 36 |
| Building and garden supply | 31 |
| General merchandise | 26 |
Census 2022 Economic Census, retail trade, city of Fremont (437 stores in all).View source: Census 2022 Economic Census: retail trade, Fremont (opens in a new tab)
Food assistance
| Measure | Value | Covers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of Fremont households that received CalFresh/SNAP benefits in the past 12 months Margin of error ±1.3 percentage points. Read Oct 24, 2026. | 5.7% | 2024 (ACS 1-year) | U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 1-Year Estimates 2024, Table S2201, Fremont city (opens in a new tab) |
| Share of Fremont households receiving CalFresh/SNAP, 5-year average Margin of error ±0.5 points; 78,054 total households. Read Oct 24, 2026. | 4.2% | 2020–2024 (ACS 5-year) | U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates 2020–2024, Table S2201, Fremont city (opens in a new tab) |
| Alameda County households receiving CalFresh County-level; no Fremont breakout in the text. 167,900 recipients; $32.8M benefits issued in the month; average household benefit $308. Down from 112,900 households in Mar 2025. Read Oct 24, 2026. | 107,600 | Mar 2026 | Alameda County Social Services Agency, CalFresh Update to Board of Supervisors Social Services Committee (Apr 27, 2026) (opens in a new tab) |
| Average monthly CalFresh benefit per household, Alameda County County-level. Read Oct 24, 2026. | $308 | Mar 2026 | Alameda County Social Services Agency, CalFresh Update (Apr 27, 2026) (opens in a new tab) |
Store and restaurant counts are from the 2022 Economic Census (city of Fremont); the count of business establishments on the Jobs page is from 2023 County Business Patterns (Fremont ZIP codes). A Bay Area price survey found a 150-item basket costs about 49% more at Safeway than at WinCo (Consumers’ Checkbook, 2025).
Where these numbers come from: 5 datasets used on this page
Each dataset below names its source and the date it was read. Full methodology and every source page are on the Sources page.
Food costsGrocery and restaurant price inflation (Bay Area CPI), MIT living-wage food costs for Alameda County, Fremont grocery and restaurant counts (2022 Economic Census), farmers' markets, CalFresh. Read Oct 24, 2026.Read 2026-10-25
Food price inflationBay Area (SF–Oakland–Hayward) CPI for groceries, restaurants, all food and all items, each August 2018–2026, from BLS news releases. Read Oct 24, 2026.Read 2026-10-25
Stores by typeRetail establishments in Fremont by category (437 stores in all), 2022 Economic Census, retail trade, Fremont city. The total matches the 2022 Economic Census retail store count. Read Oct 24, 2026.Read 2026-10-24Open source ↗ for Stores by type (opens in a new tab)
Shopping and diningRestaurant and retail counts, jobs, taxable sales and major centers, from Census County Business Patterns, CDTFA and the City of Fremont. Read Oct 24, 2026.Read 2026-10-24Open source ↗ for Shopping and dining (opens in a new tab)
Costs, transit and servicesUtility bills, tax rates, transit ridership, hospitals, voters, energy and hazards, each from the agency named in its row. Read Oct 24, 2026.Read 2026-10-24Open source ↗ for Costs, transit and services (opens in a new tab)