Median rent is 26% lower in Fresno ($1,421/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fresno, where the median home runs $374,800 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $70,991 a year). Taken together, Fresno is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 114.7 — about 20% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Fresno, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Fresno is 20% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Fresno vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Fresno, CA
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Fresno, CA?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$93,694
You'd need $18,694 more (25% 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
Los Angeles
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Fresno — median rent of $1,421/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 26% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $374,800 in Fresno — 59% more expensive.
Metric
Fresno
Los Angeles
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · 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
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles has cleaner air on average: 31.0 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 114.7).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,939/yr).
Pick Fresno if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,421/mo median).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Fresno is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 20% lower in Fresno.
Median rent is $1,421/mo in Fresno, CA and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Fresno, CA has the lower rent by about 26%.
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno, CA and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Los Angeles, CA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 53.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fresno, CA is equivalent to roughly $124,925 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
