Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 Fresno leads 13 of 23 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
Seattle
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $558k less ($321,800 vs $879,900)
Rent averages $718/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,945)
5% less violent crime than Seattle
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Seattle
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 47°F
Cons
Median income trails Seattle by $53,067/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%)
Seattle, WA
Pros
Households earn $53,067 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.8 pts lower (4.2%)
More college-educated — 66.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 98°F
Smaller class sizes — 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Higher rents — median is $1,945/mo
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Fresno
Violent Crime
5% lower
735.5 vs 775.1 per 100k
Fresno
Median Home Value
$558k less
$321,800 vs $879,900
Fresno
Summer Heat
21.2°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 76.5°F
Seattle
Median Income
$53,067
$116,068 vs $63,001/yr
Seattle
Unemployment
4.8 pp lower
4.2% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Seattle, 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 | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,945⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 27.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 27.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 66.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 47.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 38.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% ✓ Higher | 44.5% |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 12.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fresno leads 13 of 23 categories. Fresno wins 13 and Seattle 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 Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $879,900 median home), income ($63,001 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Seattle, WA are about 760 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.