Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Kent, WA
🏆 Fresno leads 12 of 22 categories
Fresno
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Kent
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,966 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
135,169
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $157k less ($321,800 vs $478,400)
Rent averages $515/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,742)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Kent
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 48°F
Cons
Median income trails Kent by $23,965/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 7.6%)
Kent, WA
Pros
33% less violent crime than Fresno
Households earn $23,965 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (7.6%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 78°F vs 98°F
More college-educated — 27.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $478,400
Higher rents — median is $1,742/mo
Violent crime (489.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Fresno
Median Home Value
$157k less
$321,800 vs $478,400
Fresno
Summer Heat
19.4°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 78.3°F
Kent
Median Income
$23,965
$86,966 vs $63,001/yr
Kent
Violent Crime
33% lower
489.7 vs 735.5 per 100k
Kent
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
7.6% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Kent, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $478,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,742⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $86,966 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 7.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 10.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer | 180⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 18.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 27.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 87.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Kent School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 48.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 78.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 44.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 6.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 135,169 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 55.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 24.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% ✓ More | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Kent's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Fresno leads 12 of 22 categories. Fresno wins 12 and Kent 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 Kent or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $478,400 median home), income ($63,001 vs $86,966), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Kent, WA are about 743 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.