Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Oakland, CA
🏆 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 ✓ Safer
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Oakland
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$94,389 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
507⚠ High
Population
437,825
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $562k less ($321,800 vs $883,800)
62% less violent crime than Oakland
Rent averages $622/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,849)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Oakland
Cons
Median income trails Oakland by $31,388/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 5.8%)
Oakland, CA
Pros
Households earn $31,388 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (5.8%)
More college-educated — 48.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 72°F vs 98°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $883,800
Higher rents — median is $1,849/mo
Violent crime (1925.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Fresno
Violent Crime
62% lower
735.5 vs 1925.3 per 100k
Fresno
Median Home Value
$562k less
$321,800 vs $883,800
Fresno
Summer Heat
26.1°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 71.6°F
Oakland
Median Income
$31,388
$94,389 vs $63,001/yr
Oakland
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
5.8% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $883,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,849⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $94,389 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 31.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 20.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer | 400⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High ✓ Safer | 507⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer | 344⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B (98) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 18.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 48.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 85.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Oakland Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F | 59.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 71.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 22.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 437,825 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 19.1% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 14.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Oakland's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Fresno leads 12 of 22 categories. Fresno wins 12 and Oakland 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 Oakland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $883,800 median home), income ($63,001 vs $94,389), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Oakland, CA are about 150 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.