Fresno CA vs San Jose 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%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
San Jose
30.9%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 38.1 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 38.0% | 29.0% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 2.9% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 30.9% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
San Jose
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $1,452,609 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
San Jose
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
San Jose
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
San Jose
61.5°F
San Jose +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 61.5°F | San Jose + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 14.9 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 30.4 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, San Jose is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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