Fresno CA vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Tucson
543,348
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 543,348 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.6 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 13.7% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 6.7% | 5.0% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 3.1% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 42.7% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $54,546 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.6% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Fresno +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 69.8°F | Fresno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.9 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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