Median rent is 4% lower in Houston ($1,361/mo vs $1,421/mo). Buying is cheaper in Houston, where the median home runs $277,800 versus $374,800. Households earn more in Fresno ($70,991 vs $64,813 a year). Taken together, Fresno is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 99.7 — about 8% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Fresno, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Fresno is 8% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Fresno vs 99.7 in Houston (US national average = 100)
City A
Fresno, CA
City B
Houston, TX
How much would you need to earn in Houston, TX to maintain your standard of living from Fresno, CA?
Equivalent salary in Houston, TX
$81,434
You'd need $6,434 more (9% higher).
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
Fresno
California
Houston
Texas
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: $1,421/mo in Fresno and $1,361/mo in Houston. Home buyers face a steeper market in Fresno: the median home is $374,800 versus $277,800 in Houston — 26% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fresno
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Houston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Fresno has cleaner air on average: 53.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 59.0 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 99.7).
Pick Fresno if you prioritize higher median household income ($70,991/yr).
Pick Fresno if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 53.0).
Is Fresno cheaper than Houston?
Fresno is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 99.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 8% lower in Fresno.
How much is rent in Fresno vs Houston?
Median rent is $1,421/mo in Fresno, CA and $1,361/mo in Houston, TX. Houston, TX has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Fresno or Houston?
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno, CA and $64,813 in Houston, TX. Fresno, CA 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 59.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Fresno or Houston?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Houston to match my Fresno income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fresno, CA is equivalent to roughly $108,579 in Houston, TX (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
