Fresno, California
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Fresno.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Fresno?
For relocators asking how much Fresno costs: the housing index sits at 107 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $348,500 and rents near $1,324. Local median income is about $66,804 and unemployment recently ran 7.7% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 23 minutes. Official citywide FBI crime rates are currently unavailable, so treat safety as a neighborhood-level check.
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 107U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $348,500U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,324U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $66,804U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 7.7%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 23 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- UnavailableFBI gap
- Summer high
- 95°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Fresno compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 550,105City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $66,804Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year15% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 107ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year7% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $348,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year15% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,324City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($1,348)U.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 7.7%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 20263.5 pts above U.S. avgU.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 23 min8% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 47Near U.S. avg (45)U.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Property crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Summer high
- 95°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 41°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals7.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 11 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals67% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 319As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals19% above U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Fresno grew 10.5% from 497,769 in 2010 to 550,105 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Fresno expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Fresno runs 7 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 107 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $348,500 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,324 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Fresno?
Budget first around $1,324/month rent or $348,500 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $348,500
- Median rent $1,324/month
- Median household income $66,804
What is the job market like in Fresno?
Labor-market context for Fresno: unemployment 7.7% and median income $66,804. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 7.7% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $66,804
How long is the typical commute in Fresno?
Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way in Fresno. Walk Score estimates around 47 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 23 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 47/100
Is Fresno safer than similar U.S. cities?
Citywide FBI rates are marked unavailable here — do not infer safety from a placeholder index. Neighborhood due diligence is required.
- FBI citywide rates: data unavailable
What is the climate like year-round in Fresno?
Fresno's climate profile: 95°F summer peaks, 41°F winter mornings, 11" annual rainfall, and 319 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 95°F
- Winter low 41°F
- 11 in rain · 319 sunny days
About 550,105 people live in Fresno, CA. Households here report a median income near $66,804; our housing-derived cost index is about 107 (close to the national housing-cost baseline). Entry home prices around $348,500 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Pacific weather, wildfire seasons, and housing scarcity dominate relocation tradeoffs. Roughly 319 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Commutes average near 23 minutes one-way, with walkability near 47/100. Unemployment near 7.7% is elevated versus many peer cities, so industry mix matters more in a move decision. FBI Crime Data Explorer did not return usable agency rates here — verify recent local PD reports block by block.
Fresno sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Fresno with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Fresno city, 1600000US0627000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Fresno County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: data unavailable — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00093193 FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10