Fresno, CA Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Fresno, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Fresno →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Fresno is a city of roughly 541,528 in California. The median household there earns $63,001 annually, which runs below the multi-city median income (-13%).
The typical home in Fresno is worth $321,800, roughly in line with the multi-city median (-1%), while the typical renter pays $1,227 a month. Either path — buying or renting — deserves a look at today's rates before deciding.
At roughly 5.1 times median income, Fresno's home values sit in a balanced range compared to the cities we track. Fresno's home prices climbed 2.28% over the past year — steady appreciation without signs of overheating. Natural-hazard exposure in Fresno is rated Relatively High by FEMA, on the elevated end — something to check with insurers before buying.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,227/mo in Fresno would take 23.4% of your income.
$348/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($321,800) would take 32.7% of your income toward principal & interest.
$248/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Fresno
Median home value is $321,800 and median gross rent is $1,227/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Fresno rose 2.28% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,664/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Fresno's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Fresno reported a violent crime rate of 720 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Fresno
Planning a move to Fresno? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Fresno, CA?
- The US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022) puts Fresno's median home value at $321,800, median rent at $1,227/month, and median household income at $63,001.
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Fresno?
- A common guideline is that rent should stay under 30% of gross income. With median rent at $1,227/month in Fresno, that implies an income of about $49,080 to keep housing affordable. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Fresno.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Fresno?
- With a median home value of $321,800 and median rent of $1,227/month, renting comfortably in Fresno takes about $49,080/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $73,626/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
- Is Fresno safe?
- The most recent FBI figures (2025) show a violent crime rate of 720 per 100,000 residents in Fresno.
See the full salary breakdown for Fresno →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Fresno's.