Fresno CA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Minneapolis
426,845
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 426,845 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.0 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 6.7% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 5.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 10.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 48.0% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 19.8% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 30.6 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.2 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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