Fresno CA vs Gainesville FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Gainesville
12.1%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Gainesville
6.2%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Gainesville
13.4%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 143,611 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 12.1% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 6.7% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 6.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 13.4% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Gainesville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $45,611 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $30,282 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 28.0% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 38.5% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 21.3% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.9% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.8% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Fresno +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 68.9°F | Fresno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 47.3 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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