Fresno CA vs Rancho Cucamonga CA — 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%

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

California · Population: 174,693

  • Median HH Income$109,511
  • Median Home Price$791,317
  • Unemployment5.8%
  • Bachelor's+37.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min

Which City is Right for You?

Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Rancho Cucamonga is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Rancho Cucamonga has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.

Compare More Cities

About Fresno & Rancho Cucamonga