Fresno CA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Reno
16.1%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 268,959 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.3 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 16.1% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 3.2% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 7.0% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 24.6% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $570,934 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 49.4% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.9% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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