Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Fresno
18.9%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Fresno
38.0%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 543,615 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 32.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 18.9% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 38.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 6.7% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Fresno
$66,804
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Fresno
$31,012
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Fresno
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Fresno
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Chula Vista +
Fresno
24.9%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $66,804 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $31,012 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 8.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 20.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 24.9% | Chula Vista + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Fresno
49.7%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $391,442 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 49.7% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Fresno
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Fresno
2388
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Fresno
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Fresno
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Fresno
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
Fresno
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Fresno
13.8%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 37.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.1% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.3% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.8% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Chula Vista +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Fresno
12.8 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 64.2°F | Chula Vista + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 12.8 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 23.7 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Fresno is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chula Vista, CA vs New York, NYChula Vista, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Chula Vista, CAChula Vista, CA vs Houston, TXChula Vista, CA vs Phoenix, AZChula Vista, CA vs Philadelphia, PA