Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Gresham, OR
🏆 Fresno leads 13 of 23 categories
Fresno
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Gresham
Oregon
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$69,437 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
108⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
113,525
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $90k less ($321,800 vs $411,700)
Rent averages $225/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,452)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 47°F
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 5.8%)
Median income trails Gresham by $6,436/yr
Gresham, OR
Pros
44% less violent crime than Fresno
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (5.8%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 98°F
Households earn $6,436 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $411,700
Higher rents — median is $1,452/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 106.6 (100 = US avg)
Fresno
Median Home Value
$90k less
$321,800 vs $411,700
Fresno
Summer Heat
16.1°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 81.6°F
Gresham
Median Income
$6,436
$69,437 vs $63,001/yr
Gresham
Violent Crime
44% lower
410.2 vs 735.5 per 100k
Gresham
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
5.8% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Gresham, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 106.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $411,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,452⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $69,437 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 27.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 10.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 108⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% ✓ Higher | 23.2% |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 87.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Gresham-Barlow SD 10J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 46.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 81.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 40.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 113,525 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 55.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 14.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Gresham's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fresno leads 13 of 23 categories. Fresno wins 13 and Gresham wins 10. 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 Fresno to Gresham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $411,700 median home), income ($63,001 vs $69,437), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Gresham, OR are about 618 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.