Fresno CA vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 287,339 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 39.3 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 38.0% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 6.7% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 16.2% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $507,575 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.4% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.6 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
Compare More Cities
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA