Fresno CA vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Fresno
38.0%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 293,109 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 36.6 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 6.6% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 6.7% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 3.4% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 5.1% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $55,279 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 45.4% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.2% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.9% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.8% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Louis, MO | 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 +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.0 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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