Fresno CA vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
New Haven
17.7%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
New Haven
5.2%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
New Haven
31.2%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 132,893 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 17.7% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 36.8% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 5.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 31.2% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
New Haven
7.7%
New Haven +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $53,771 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $34,482 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 7.7% | New Haven + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 25.0% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 37.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 28.4% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
New Haven
14.7%
New Haven +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
New Haven
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 37.9% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.7% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.9% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.7% | New Haven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 47.1 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. New Haven has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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