Fresno CA vs Miami 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Miami
446,663
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 446,663 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 39.7 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 38.0% | 34.2% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 13.7% | Miami + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 1.6% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Miami
$59,390
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Miami
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $59,390 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 19.2% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $580,996 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 30.7% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Miami
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 15.5% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 27.2% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.3% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Fresno +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 75.8°F | Fresno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 64.1 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 29.9 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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