Median rent is 9% lower in Fresno ($1,421/mo vs $1,563/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fresno, where the median home runs $374,800 versus $427,900. Households earn more in Las Vegas ($73,877 vs $70,991 a year). Taken together, Fresno is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 98.3 — about 7% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Fresno, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Fresno is 7% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Fresno vs 98.3 in Las Vegas (US national average = 100)
City A
Fresno, CA
City B
Las Vegas, NV
How much would you need to earn in Las Vegas, NV to maintain your standard of living from Fresno, CA?
Equivalent salary in Las Vegas, NV
$80,252
You'd need $5,252 more (7% 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
Las Vegas
Nevada
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 rent is modestly lower in Fresno at $1,421/mo compared to $1,563/mo in Las Vegas (9% gap). Median home values are within 12% of each other: $374,800 in Fresno and $427,900 in Las Vegas.
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
Las Vegas
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Las Vegas has cleaner air on average: 36.0 AQI (Good) compared to 53.0 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 98.3).
Pick Las Vegas if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 36.0).
Is Fresno cheaper than Las Vegas?
Fresno is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 98.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 7% lower in Fresno.
How much is rent in Fresno vs Las Vegas?
Median rent is $1,421/mo in Fresno, CA and $1,563/mo in Las Vegas, NV. Fresno, CA has the lower rent by about 9%.
Which has higher salaries — Fresno or Las Vegas?
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno, CA and $73,877 in Las Vegas, NV. Las Vegas, NV 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?
Las Vegas, NV has better air quality on average: 36.0 AQI versus 53.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Fresno or Las Vegas?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Las Vegas to match my Fresno income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fresno, CA is equivalent to roughly $107,002 in Las Vegas, NV (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
