Median rent is 3% lower in Fresno ($1,421/mo vs $1,470/mo). Buying is cheaper in Arlington, where the median home runs $304,700 versus $374,800. Households earn more in Arlington ($75,171 vs $70,991 a year). Taken together, Fresno is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 102.5 — about 10% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Fresno, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Fresno is 10% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Fresno vs 102.5 in Arlington (US national average = 100)
City A
Arlington, TX
City B
Fresno, CA
How much would you need to earn in Fresno, CA to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, TX?
Equivalent salary in Fresno, CA
$67,217
You could earn $7,783 less (10% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Arlington
Texas
Fresno
California
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,470/mo in Arlington and $1,421/mo in Fresno. Median home values are within 19% of each other: $304,700 in Arlington and $374,800 in Fresno.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Arlington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Fresno
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Fresno has cleaner air on average: 53.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Fresno if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.9 vs 102.5).
Pick Arlington if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,171/yr).
Is Arlington cheaper than Fresno?
Fresno is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 10% lower in Fresno.
How much is rent in Arlington vs Fresno?
Median rent is $1,470/mo in Arlington, TX and $1,421/mo in Fresno, CA. Fresno, CA has the lower rent by about 3%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or Fresno?
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington, TX and $70,991 in Fresno, CA. Arlington, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Fresno, CA has better air quality on average: 53.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington or Fresno?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Fresno to match my Arlington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, TX is equivalent to roughly $89,622 in Fresno, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
