Fresno CA vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Saint Paul
307,762
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Saint Paul
18.7%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 307,762 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 33.5 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 18.7% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 6.7% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 9.1% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Saint Paul
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Saint Paul, MN | 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 +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.1 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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