Fresno CA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 457,066 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 9.1% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 6.7% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 7.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 8.9% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $427,121 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.6% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.0 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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