Fresno CA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.8 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 38.0% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 6.7% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 3.9% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 41.8% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $411,323 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.3% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.3% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Fresno +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 72.1°F | Fresno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.7 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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