Fresno CA vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
New York
35.9%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.0 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 38.0% | 35.9% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 28.4% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
New York
7.7%
New York +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 7.7% | New York + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $816,078 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 32.8% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.9% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 46.6 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New York, NY | 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 +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 44.2 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. New York has a lower unemployment rate at 7.7%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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