Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 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
Washington
District of Columbia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $383k less ($321,800 vs $705,000)
Rent averages $590/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,817)
21% less violent crime than Washington
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 45°F
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Washington
Cons
Median income trails Washington by $38,721/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 7.1%)
Washington, DC
Pros
Households earn $38,721 more per year on average
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (7.1%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 98°F
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Higher rents — median is $1,817/mo
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3588.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Fresno
Violent Crime
21% lower
735.5 vs 925.9 per 100k
Fresno
Median Home Value
$383k less
$321,800 vs $705,000
Fresno
Summer Heat
7.9°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 89.8°F
Washington
Median Income
$38,721
$101,722 vs $63,001/yr
Washington
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
7.1% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 7.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 92.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 44.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 89.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 45.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 9.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 12.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fresno leads 13 of 23 categories. Fresno wins 13 and Washington 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 Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $705,000 median home), income ($63,001 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Washington, DC are about 2,317 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.