Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Highlands Ranch, CO
🏆 Highlands Ranch leads 13 of 23 categories
Fresno
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Highlands Ranch
Colorado
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$148,227 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
101,514
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $316k less ($321,800 vs $637,400)
Rent averages $1126/mo less ($1,227 vs $2,353)
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 45°F
Cons
Median income trails Highlands Ranch by $85,226/yr
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 3.4%)
Highlands Ranch, CO
Pros
Households earn $85,226 more per year on average
81% less violent crime than Fresno
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.6 pts lower (3.4%)
More college-educated — 65.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (138.1 vs 380/100k)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 98°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $637,400
Higher rents — median is $2,353/mo
Snowy winters — about 64" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Fresno
Median Home Value
$316k less
$321,800 vs $637,400
Fresno
Summer Heat
10.4°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 87.3°F
Highlands Ranch
Median Income
$85,226
$148,227 vs $63,001/yr
Highlands Ranch
Violent Crime
81% lower
138.1 vs 735.5 per 100k
Highlands Ranch
Unemployment
5.6 pp lower
3.4% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Highlands Ranch, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $637,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $2,353⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $148,227 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 3.4% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 25.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 26.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 36 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 65 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 17.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 65.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 98.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Douglas County School District No. Re 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 44.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 87.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 18.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 64.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 101,514 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 41.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 79.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 24.9% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 13.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Highlands Ranch's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Highlands Ranch leads 13 of 23 categories. Fresno wins 10 and Highlands Ranch wins 13. 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 Highlands Ranch or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $637,400 median home), income ($63,001 vs $148,227), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Highlands Ranch, CO are about 826 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.