Fresno CA vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.3 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 7.4% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 25.0% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 1.7% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 10.2% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Memphis
8.3%
Memphis +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $51,211 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,097 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 8.3% | Memphis + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 22.5% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 46.0% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Fresno +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 639 | Fresno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2350 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 42.1% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 17.6% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.7% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 19.9% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 54.9 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Fresno is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Memphis has a lower unemployment rate at 8.3%, 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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