Fresno CA vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Houston
44.1%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.3 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 38.0% | 35.5% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 6.9% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 44.1% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $62,894 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 19.7% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 42.0% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 38.0% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.9% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 24.0% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.7% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 48.7 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 29.6 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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