Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Tracy, CA
🏆 Fresno leads 11 of 21 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
Tracy
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$111,717 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
79 ✓ Safer
Population
94,027
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $296k less ($321,800 vs $617,300)
Rent averages $935/mo less ($1,227 vs $2,162)
Commutes run 21 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio
2% cheaper overall cost of living than Tracy
Cons
Median income trails Tracy by $48,716/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 5.4%)
Tracy, CA
Pros
Households earn $48,716 more per year on average
59% less violent crime than Fresno
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.6 pts lower (5.4%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $617,300
Higher rents — median is $2,162/mo
Longer commutes — 43.5 min average each way
Cost of living runs 2% higher than Fresno
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 107.4 (100 = US avg)
Fresno
Median Home Value
$296k less
$321,800 vs $617,300
Fresno
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 93.2°F
Tracy
Median Income
$48,716
$111,717 vs $63,001/yr
Tracy
Violent Crime
59% lower
301.4 vs 735.5 per 100k
Tracy
Unemployment
3.6 pp lower
5.4% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Tracy, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 107.4⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $617,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $2,162⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $111,717 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 43.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 11.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 76 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) ✓ Better | C- (71) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 24.4% |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 83.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Jefferson Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 93.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 12.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 94,027 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 64.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 26.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% ✓ More | 9.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Tracy's 107.4 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Fresno leads 11 of 21 categories. Fresno wins 11 and Tracy 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 Tracy or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $617,300 median home), income ($63,001 vs $111,717), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Tracy, CA are about 112 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.