Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
🏆 Lexington-Fayette urban county leads 17 of 23 categories
Fresno
California
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Lexington-Fayette urban county
Kentucky
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$66,087 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
69 ✓ Safer
Population
321,276
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 42°F
Cons
Violent crime (735.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $321,800
Property crime (3271.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Lexington-Fayette urban county
Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
Pros
64% less violent crime than Fresno
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.0 pts lower (5.0%)
Homes cost $74k less ($247,900 vs $321,800)
Violent crime is well below the national average (262.0 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 46.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $162/mo less ($1,065 vs $1,227)
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Summer Heat
10.8°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 86.9°F
Lexington-Fayette urban county
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 93.1 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Lexington-Fayette urban county
Median Income
$3,086
$66,087 vs $63,001/yr
Lexington-Fayette urban county
Violent Crime
64% lower
262.0 vs 735.5 per 100k
Lexington-Fayette urban county
Median Home Value
$74k less
$247,900 vs $321,800
Lexington-Fayette urban county
Unemployment
4.0 pp lower
5.0% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 93.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High | $247,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 | $1,065 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $66,087 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min | 20.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 9.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 85 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 69 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 108⚠ High ✓ 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 | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 46.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 92.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Fayette County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 42.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 86.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 49.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 14.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 321,276 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 54.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 20.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Lexington-Fayette urban county's 93.1 (US average = 100).
Lexington-Fayette urban county is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lexington-Fayette urban county leads 17 of 23 categories. Fresno wins 6 and Lexington-Fayette urban county wins 17. 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 Lexington-Fayette urban county or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $247,900 median home), income ($63,001 vs $66,087), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY are about 1,929 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.
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