Fresno CA vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Provo
12.2%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 114,303 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 12.2% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 6.7% | 1.1% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 2.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 18.9% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Fresno +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Fresno +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $62,800 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $26,755 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 22.3% | Fresno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $486,127 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 39.9% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 21.5% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 19.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
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, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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