Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Trenton, NJ
🏆 Fresno leads 16 of 23 categories
Fresno
California
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,001 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Trenton
New Jersey
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$44,444
Violent Crime Index
270⚠ High
Population
90,055
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Households earn $18,557 more per year on average
28% less violent crime than Trenton
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (9.0%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 24.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 40°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $321,800
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
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Trenton
Trenton, NJ
Pros
Homes cost $211k less ($111,200 vs $321,800)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 98°F
Smaller class sizes — 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Fresno
Cons
Median income trails Fresno by $18,557/yr
Violent crime (1025.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (10.2% vs 9.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Median Income
$18,557
$63,001 vs $44,444/yr
Fresno
Violent Crime
28% lower
735.5 vs 1025.9 per 100k
Fresno
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
9.0% vs 10.2% unemployment
Fresno
Summer Heat
11.2°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 86.5°F
Trenton
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 102.1 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Trenton
Median Home Value
$211k less
$111,200 vs $321,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Trenton, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 102.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High | $111,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 | $1,177 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 ✓ Higher | $44,444 |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 10.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 26.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% ✓ Higher | 5.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer | 206⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High ✓ Safer | 270⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) ✓ Better | C (75) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 16.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% ✓ Higher | 15.6% |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% ✓ Higher | 76.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Trenton Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 86.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 47.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 26.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 90,055 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 35.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% ✓ Higher | 38.3% |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 25.9% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 12.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Trenton's 102.1 (US average = 100).
Trenton is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fresno leads 16 of 23 categories. Fresno wins 16 and Trenton wins 7. 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 Trenton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $111,200 median home), income ($63,001 vs $44,444), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Trenton, NJ are about 2,420 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.