Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Palm Coast, FL
🏆 Palm Coast leads 13 of 19 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
Palm Coast
Florida
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$68,824 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
91,082
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Rent averages $394/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,621)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cons
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
Pricier housing — median home is $321,800
Higher unemployment (9.0% vs 4.1%)
Palm Coast, FL
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.9 pts lower (4.1%)
Homes cost $39k less ($283,300 vs $321,800)
Households earn $5,823 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 98°F
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 55°F
Smaller class sizes — 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,621/mo
Longer commutes — 28.0 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Summer Heat
9.9°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 87.8°F
Palm Coast
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 104.5 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Palm Coast
Median Income
$5,823
$68,824 vs $63,001/yr
Palm Coast
Median Home Value
$39k less
$283,300 vs $321,800
Palm Coast
Unemployment
4.9 pp lower
4.1% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Palm Coast, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High | $283,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,621⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $68,824 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 28.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 13.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B- (94) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 17.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 26.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | FLAGLER |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F | 65.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 87.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 51.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 91,082 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 50.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 77.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 17.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 29.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Palm Coast's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Palm Coast is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 19 decided categories above, Palm Coast leads 13 of 19 categories. Fresno wins 6 and Palm Coast 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 Palm Coast or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $283,300 median home), income ($63,001 vs $68,824), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Palm Coast, FL are about 2,269 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.