Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
San Leandro, CA
🏆 San Leandro leads 12 of 22 categories
Fresno
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
San Leandro
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,141 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
144⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
89,723
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $451k less ($321,800 vs $772,700)
Rent averages $770/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,997)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than San Leandro
Smaller class sizes — 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails San Leandro by $34,140/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 5.0%)
San Leandro, CA
Pros
Households earn $34,140 more per year on average
25% less violent crime than Fresno
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.0 pts lower (5.0%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 72°F vs 98°F
More college-educated — 32.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $772,700
Higher rents — median is $1,997/mo
Violent crime (548.7/100k) 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
Median Home Value
$451k less
$321,800 vs $772,700
Fresno
Summer Heat
26.1°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 71.6°F
San Leandro
Median Income
$34,140
$97,141 vs $63,001/yr
San Leandro
Violent Crime
25% lower
548.7 vs 735.5 per 100k
San Leandro
Unemployment
4.0 pp lower
5.0% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | San Leandro, 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 | $772,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,997⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $97,141 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 32.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 11.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 161⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 144⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer | 187⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B- (92) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 32.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 84.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | San Leandro Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F | 57.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 71.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 18.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 89,723 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 41.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 57.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 17.1% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs San Leandro's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, San Leandro leads 12 of 22 categories. Fresno wins 10 and San Leandro 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 San Leandro or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $772,700 median home), income ($63,001 vs $97,141), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and San Leandro, CA are about 145 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.