City Comparison
Fresno vs Los Angeles
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fresno scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fresno
Los Angeles
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fresno is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
6% lower compared to Los Angeles.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fresno's average rent is
23% lower than Los Angeles's.
| Metric | Fresno | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,675 | $2,184 | -23% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $250 | $231 | +8% |
| Transport | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $150 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,825 | $3,015 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 149 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fresno offers 31% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fresno delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fresno is estimated at
$75,000 vs $61,558 in Los Angeles.
| Metric | Fresno | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,814 | $48,651 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $61,558 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,563 idx | 32,652 idx |
| Household Income | $70,991 | $81,939 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fresno runs warmer on average — a 66.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fresno comes out ahead with 326 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fresno sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fresno | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 100.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 41.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 326 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fresno has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles.
Fresno scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fresno leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fresno | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 47.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 60.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Los Angeles is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Fresno.
From a growth perspective, Fresno is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Los Angeles has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fresno | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 558,649 | 3,863,148 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.56% | % |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 7.80% | 5.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,000.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fresno
Advantages
More affordable cost of living compared to other major California cities, with a cost of living index of 102.
Strong and growing job market in key sectors like Healthcare and Social Assistance, and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities.
Proximity to major national parks (Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon) offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Rich agricultural heritage provides access to fresh, local produce and a unique cultural identity.
Diverse population and community, contributing to a vibrant cultural scene and varied dining options.
Drawbacks
Unemployment rate of 7.8% in August 2026 is higher than the national average.
Car dependency is medium, with an average walk score of 47, meaning most errands require a car.
Some hospitals have received lower safety grades, indicating mixed healthcare quality across facilities.
Median household income of $70,991 is lower than the national median.
Poverty rate of 20.08% is a significant concern.
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, particularly in entertainment, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering varied job opportunities.
The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities year-round.
Healthcare quality is high, with major institutions like LA General Medical Center receiving top safety grades and exceeding state benchmarks.
Los Angeles is a global cultural hub, offering a rich array of arts, dining, and entertainment options.
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased by 19% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the lowest number since 1966.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly high, with housing expenses being 135% higher than the national average.
Los Angeles is a highly car-dependent city, leading to severe traffic congestion and long commute times, averaging 30 minutes.
The city's population is experiencing a slight annual decline, with a -0.15% growth rate projected for 2026.
Despite improvements, Los Angeles's safety score of 58/100 indicates a moderate crime rate, higher than the average U.S. city.
Utility costs in Los Angeles are 9% higher than the national average, adding to the overall expense of living.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fresno
#95California, USA
56.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,675
Avg Salary
$63,814
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
47.0/10
Sunny Days
326/yr
Avg Temp
66.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.56%
Unemployment
7.80%
Livability
70
Business
65
Los Angeles
#157California, USA
42.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,184
Avg Salary
$48,651
Cost Index
149
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
70
Business
75
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