Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Westminster, CO
🏆 Westminster leads 12 of 23 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
Westminster
Colorado
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$90,651 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
115,502
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $145k less ($321,800 vs $467,200)
Rent averages $505/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,732)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 48°F
Cons
Median income trails Westminster by $27,650/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 4.1%)
Westminster, CO
Pros
59% less violent crime than Fresno
Households earn $27,650 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.9 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 42.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 91°F vs 98°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $467,200
Higher rents — median is $1,732/mo
Property crime (3540.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Snowy winters — about 55" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Fresno
Median Home Value
$145k less
$321,800 vs $467,200
Fresno
Summer Heat
6.6°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 91.1°F
Westminster
Median Income
$27,650
$90,651 vs $63,001/yr
Westminster
Violent Crime
59% lower
303.6 vs 735.5 per 100k
Westminster
Unemployment
4.9 pp lower
4.1% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Westminster, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $467,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $1,732⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $90,651 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 26.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 15.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 80 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer | 169⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 18.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 42.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 92.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Westminster Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 48.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 91.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 17.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 54.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 115,502 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 63.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 14.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Westminster's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Westminster leads 12 of 23 categories. Fresno wins 11 and Westminster wins 12. 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 Westminster or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $467,200 median home), income ($63,001 vs $90,651), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Westminster, CO are about 826 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.