Fresno CA vs Medford OR — 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%
Medford, OR
Oregon · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$410,269
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Medford
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Medford
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Medford
N/A
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Medford
N/A
White
Fresno
38.0%
Medford
N/A
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Medford
N/A
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Medford
N/A
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Medford
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 38.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 6.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Medford
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Medford
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Medford
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Medford
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Medford
$410,269
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $410,269 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Medford
355
Medford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
Medford
3001
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Medford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Medford
33.0%
Medford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Medford
11.9%
Medford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Medford
19.1%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Medford
10.4%
Medford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Medford
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Medford
13.6%
Medford +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 33.0% | Medford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.9% | Medford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.1% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.4% | Medford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.2% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.6% | Medford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Medford
55.6°F
Medford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Medford
18.4 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 55.6°F | Medford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 18.4 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Medford
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Medford
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Medford
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Medford, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Medford is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Medford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
Compare More Cities
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA