Tucson vs Fresno: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Tucson, AZ and Fresno, CA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Fresno, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 541,033 | 541,528 |
| Median household income | $52,049 | $63,001 |
| Median home value | $218,200 | $321,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $991 | $1,227 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Tucson, AZ and Fresno, CA comes down to what you value most. Tucson has the lower median home value, and Tucson has the lower median rent.
Fresno has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Tucson or Fresno?
- By median home value, Tucson is the cheaper of the two ($218,200 vs $321,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Tucson or Fresno?
- Median household income is $52,049 in Tucson versus $63,001 in Fresno, per the US Census Bureau.