Living in Fresno, CA
Mid-size city in California
Fresno is a mid-size city in California, home to about 544,000 people, with 977,000 living within 31 mi. Day to day, there is some transit, though many people drive. Life moves at a moderate pace, and homes are a mix of apartments and houses.
Is Fresno a good place to live? Pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Sunny: more sunshine and clearer skies than most places
- Low natural disaster risk: 4 federally declared disasters since 2000
- Strong healthcare: 2 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
- Easy flying: FAT is 4 mi away
👎 Cons
- Few dog parks: 6 within 9 mi
- Hot summers: highs around 95°F
- Fewer graduates: 25% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
- Higher taxes: about $3,279 state income tax per resident, 0.74% property tax
Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how Fresno ranks against your own priorities.
Key facts
Living in Fresno: common questions
What is the cost of living in Fresno?
A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $376k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $2,310 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are close to the US average (index 102, where the US is 100).
What are taxes like in Fresno?
California collects about $3,279 in state income tax per resident, and homeowners here pay about 0.74% of their home's value in property tax each year.
Is Fresno safe?
Fresno isn't in the FBI's 2019 city crime table, so Best Life Fit Me counts its safety as average.
What is the weather like in Fresno?
Fresno has mild winters: winter days average around 57°F and summer days around 95°F.
Does Fresno get natural disasters?
Natural disaster risk is low, mainly from flooding and earthquakes: 4 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 0.27 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.
What is the nearest major airport to Fresno?
The nearest major airport is FAT, about 4 mi away.
How Fresno scores
Each bar compares Fresno with the other 1143 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).
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Is Fresno right for you?
Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.