Median rent is 19% lower in Fresno ($1,421/mo vs $1,747/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fresno, where the median home runs $374,800 versus $394,100. Households earn more in Orlando ($72,336 vs $70,991 a year). Taken together, Fresno is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 101.6 — 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 101.6 in Orlando (US national average = 100)
City A
Fresno, CA
City B
Orlando, FL
How much would you need to earn in Orlando, FL to maintain your standard of living from Fresno, CA?
Equivalent salary in Orlando, FL
$82,950
You'd need $7,950 more (11% 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
Orlando
Florida
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 $1,747/mo in Orlando (19% gap). Median home values are within 5% of each other: $374,800 in Fresno and $394,100 in Orlando.
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
Orlando
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Fresno averages 53.0 AQI (Moderate) and Orlando averages 54.0 AQI (Moderate).
Pick Fresno if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.9 vs 101.6).
Pick Fresno if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,421/mo median).
Is Fresno cheaper than Orlando?
Fresno is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 101.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 10% lower in Fresno.
How much is rent in Fresno vs Orlando?
Median rent is $1,421/mo in Fresno, CA and $1,747/mo in Orlando, FL. Fresno, CA has the lower rent by about 19%.
Which has higher salaries — Fresno or Orlando?
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno, CA and $72,336 in Orlando, FL. Orlando, FL 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 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Fresno or Orlando?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Orlando to match my Fresno income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fresno, CA is equivalent to roughly $110,599 in Orlando, FL (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
