Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Richmond, CA
🏆 Fresno leads 13 of 22 categories
Fresno
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Richmond
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,618 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
243⚠ High
Population
115,619
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $303k less ($321,800 vs $624,800)
Rent averages $626/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,853)
20% less violent crime than Richmond
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Richmond
Smaller class sizes — 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Richmond by $23,617/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 6.9%)
Richmond, CA
Pros
Households earn $23,617 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (6.9%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 71°F vs 98°F
More college-educated — 32.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $624,800
Higher rents — median is $1,853/mo
Violent crime (923.1/100k) 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
20% lower
735.5 vs 923.1 per 100k
Fresno
Median Home Value
$303k less
$321,800 vs $624,800
Fresno
Summer Heat
26.9°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 70.8°F
Richmond
Median Income
$23,617
$86,618 vs $63,001/yr
Richmond
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
6.9% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Richmond, 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 | $624,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,853⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $86,618 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 6.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 34.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 11.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer | 198⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High ✓ Safer | 243⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 32.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% ✓ Higher | 79.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | West Contra Costa Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F | 58.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 70.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 24.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 115,619 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 51.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 21.4% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Richmond's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Fresno leads 13 of 22 categories. Fresno wins 13 and Richmond wins 9. 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 Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $624,800 median home), income ($63,001 vs $86,618), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Richmond, CA are about 162 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.