Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Renton, WA
🏆 Renton leads 12 of 23 categories
Fresno
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Renton
Washington
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
89 ✓ Safer
Population
105,355
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $255k less ($321,800 vs $576,800)
Rent averages $637/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,864)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Renton
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 48°F
Cons
Median income trails Renton by $29,291/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 4.2%)
Renton, WA
Pros
54% less violent crime than Fresno
Households earn $29,291 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.8 pts lower (4.2%)
More college-educated — 36.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 98°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $576,800
Higher rents — median is $1,864/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (3313.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
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
$255k less
$321,800 vs $576,800
Fresno
Summer Heat
20.5°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 77.2°F
Renton
Median Income
$29,291
$92,292 vs $63,001/yr
Renton
Violent Crime
54% lower
339.2 vs 735.5 per 100k
Renton
Unemployment
4.8 pp lower
4.2% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Renton, 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 | $576,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,864⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $92,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 30.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 16.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer | 158⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B- (93) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 18.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 36.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 89.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Renton School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 48.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 77.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 44.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 6.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 105,355 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 36.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 53.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 20.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 12.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Renton's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Renton leads 12 of 23 categories. Fresno wins 11 and Renton wins 12. 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 Renton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $576,800 median home), income ($63,001 vs $92,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Renton, WA are about 749 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.