Fresno CA vs Los Angeles CA — 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Los Angeles
36.9
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Los Angeles
12.0%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Los Angeles
47.2%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.9 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 38.0% | 37.3% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 8.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 12.0% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 47.2% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Los Angeles
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Los Angeles
7.9%
Los Angeles +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 7.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 16.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 37.8% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $956,465 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 36.3% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Los Angeles
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Los Angeles
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Los Angeles, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Los Angeles
15.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.9% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 62.6°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 12.8 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Los Angeles, 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
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 33.8 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Los Angeles is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Los Angeles has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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