Fresno CA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Fresno
38.0%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 119,508 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 40.2 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 38.0% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 6.7% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 2.5% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 24.6% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $399,650 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.7% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.9% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Fresno +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 75.4°F | Fresno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 62.3 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.0 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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