| Index | Fresno | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 108 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 127 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 98 | 100 |
The cost of living in Fresno affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Fresno is 108, which is 8% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in Fresno is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Fresno cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 27.5% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Fresno an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Fresno, the median home price is 6.9% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 75.6% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Fresno come in at $116,072, which is 42.7% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Fresno, the utilities index stands at 3.1% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Fresno, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 0%.
The Fresno cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $117,102 | $9,759 | $2,732 | $3,513 |
| Renters | $109,290 | $9,108 | $2,550 | $3,279 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fifth Street, TX | 2,256 | 82 | 17.9% |
| Galena Park, TX | 11,097 | 88 | 11.8% |
| Sandy Point, TX | 217 | 89 | 10.6% |
| South Houston, TX | 17,971 | 90 | 9.5% |
| Arcola, TX | 2,636 | 92 | 7.6% |
| Fresno, TX | 24,561 | 108 | 7.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Foothills No. 31, AB | 24,563 | n/a | |
| Centerville, OH | 24,550 | 98 | 1.7% |
| Corsicana, TX | 24,574 | 87 | 12.7% |
| Auburn Hills, MI | 24,586 | 98 | 1.6% |
| West Springfield, VA | 24,524 | 148 | 47.7% |
| Fresno, TX | 24,561 | 108 | 7.9% |
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