Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Livonia, MI
🏆 Livonia leads 15 of 23 categories
Fresno
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Livonia
Michigan
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$92,458 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
60 ✓ Safer
Population
94,928
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 30°F
Cons
Median income trails Livonia by $29,457/yr
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
Livonia, MI
Pros
69% less violent crime than Fresno
Households earn $29,457 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.0 pts lower (5.0%)
Homes cost $73k less ($249,000 vs $321,800)
Violent crime is well below the national average (228.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 39.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Summer Heat
14.8°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 82.9°F
Livonia
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Livonia
Median Income
$29,457
$92,458 vs $63,001/yr
Livonia
Violent Crime
69% lower
228.1 vs 735.5 per 100k
Livonia
Median Home Value
$73k less
$249,000 vs $321,800
Livonia
Unemployment
4.0 pp lower
5.0% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Livonia, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High | $249,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,235 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $92,458 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 23.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 13.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B+ (108) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 15.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 39.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 94.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Livonia Public Schools School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 30.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 82.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 33.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 36.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 94,928 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 45.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 87.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 18.2% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 21.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Livonia's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Livonia is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Livonia leads 15 of 23 categories. Fresno wins 8 and Livonia 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 Fresno to Livonia or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $249,000 median home), income ($63,001 vs $92,458), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Livonia, MI are about 1,962 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.