Fresno CA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Newark
37.2%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 307,188 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.8 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 38.0% | 16.5% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 1.9% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 37.2% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Fresno +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Fresno +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $48,416 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $25,509 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 10.9% | Fresno + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 24.7% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 17.4% | Fresno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $482,675 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 24.1% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.6% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.0% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 23.4% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.3% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 18.2% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 46.3 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Fresno has a lower unemployment rate at 8.6%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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