Fresno CA vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 229,228 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.2 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 6.1% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 6.7% | 2.7% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 2.9% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 7.8% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $65,745 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $400,636 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.5% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 17.1 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
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, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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