Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Suffolk, VA
🏆 Suffolk leads 14 of 23 categories
Fresno
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Suffolk
Virginia
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$87,758 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
98 ✓ Safer
Population
94,856
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Rent averages $149/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,376)
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 49°F
Cons
Median income trails Suffolk by $24,757/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 6.3%)
Suffolk, VA
Pros
50% less violent crime than Fresno
Households earn $24,757 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (6.3%)
More college-educated — 32.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 98°F
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Fresno
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,376/mo
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Summer Heat
10.9°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 86.8°F
Suffolk
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Suffolk
Median Income
$24,757
$87,758 vs $63,001/yr
Suffolk
Violent Crime
50% lower
371.0 vs 735.5 per 100k
Suffolk
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
6.3% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Suffolk, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High | $314,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,376⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $87,758 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 6.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% ✓ Higher | 7.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 98 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B (99) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 32.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 91.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Suffolk City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 49.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 86.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 51.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 5.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 94,856 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 70.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 23.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 14.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Suffolk's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Suffolk is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Suffolk leads 14 of 23 categories. Fresno wins 9 and Suffolk wins 14. 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 Suffolk or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $314,400 median home), income ($63,001 vs $87,758), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Suffolk, VA are about 2,369 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.