Fresno CA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.1 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 14.6% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 36.1% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 7.8% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 15.2% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Philadelphia
8.4%
Philadelphia +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $60,698 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 8.4% | Philadelphia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 22.0% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 48.5 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 34.5 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Philadelphia has a lower unemployment rate at 8.4%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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