Charlotte NC vs Fresno CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Fresno
543,615
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Fresno
38.0%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Fresno
6.7%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 543,615 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 32.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 18.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 41.5% | 38.0% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 6.7% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Fresno
$66,804
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Fresno
$31,012
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Fresno
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Fresno
24.9%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $66,804 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $31,012 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 8.6% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 20.9% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 24.9% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Fresno
49.7%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $391,442 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 49.7% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Fresno
2388
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Fresno
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Fresno
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Fresno
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Fresno
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Fresno
13.8%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.5% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.7% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.1% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.3% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.8% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Charlotte +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 64.2°F | Charlotte + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 23.7 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA