Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Compton, CA
VS
Fresno, CA
🏆 Fresno leads 15 of 22 categories
Compton
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$69,728 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
335⚠ High
Population
94,822
Fresno
California
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Compton, CA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (7.9%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 98°F
Households earn $6,727 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 55°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $489,400
Violent crime (1271.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,464/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $168k less ($321,800 vs $489,400)
42% less violent crime than Compton
Rent averages $237/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,464)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 24.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Compton
Cons
Violent crime (735.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3271.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.0% vs 7.9%)
Median income trails Compton by $6,727/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Compton
Median Income
$6,727
$69,728 vs $63,001/yr
Compton
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
7.9% vs 9.0% unemployment
Fresno
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Fresno
Violent Crime
42% lower
735.5 vs 1271.7 per 100k
Fresno
Median Home Value
$168k less
$321,800 vs $489,400
Fresno
Summer Heat
20.5°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 77.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Compton, CA | Fresno, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $489,400⚠ High | $321,800⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,464⚠ High | $1,227 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $69,728 ✓ Higher | $63,001 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.8 min⚠ High | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 3.3% | 8.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 261⚠ High | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 335⚠ High | 194⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 156⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | C+ (88) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 24.0:1 | 19.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 10.4% | 24.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 63.8% | 79.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Compton Unified | Fresno Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.3°F ✓ Warmer | 55.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 77.2°F | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.8" | 11.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,822 | 541,528 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.4 ✓ Older | 32.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% ✓ Higher | 48.1% |
| Under 18 | 27.9% ✓ More | 27.8% |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 11.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Compton's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Fresno's 105.0 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Fresno leads 15 of 22 categories. Compton wins 7 and Fresno wins 15. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Compton to Fresno or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($489,400 vs $321,800 median home), income ($69,728 vs $63,001), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Compton, CA and Fresno, CA are about 218 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.