salaryFresno is the 5th-largest city in California that we track, with 545,970 residents. Rent is higher than in 57% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.9 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $71,560 a year. That is $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 151 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Fresno with other big cities
Compare Fresno to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Fresno?
Share of households by yearly income. 24.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Fresno
| Size | Fresno | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,223 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,200 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,484 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,871 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,223 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Fresno overall?
Everyday prices in the Fresno metro area are 2% above the U.S. average (index 102.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Fresno
Life in Fresno
What jobs pay in Fresno
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $169,160 | 12.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $166,570 | 12.9% |
| Lawyer | $162,680 | 13.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $155,440 | 13.8% |
| Software Developer | $129,060 | 16.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $125,420 | 17.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $119,720 | 17.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,730 | 21.1% |
| Operations Manager | $101,010 | 21.3% |
| Police Officer | $100,770 | 21.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $98,900 | 21.7% |
| Firefighter | $79,160 | 27.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $78,800 | 27.2% |
| Accountant | $78,690 | 27.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,580 | 28.4% |
| Electrician | $71,710 | 29.9% |
| Plumber | $64,400 | 33.3% |
| Carpenter | $63,470 | 33.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $62,880 | 34.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,580 | 34.3% |
| Truck Driver | $55,740 | 38.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,500 | 46.2% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,070 | 46.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,710 | 48.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $39,310 | 54.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,260 | 56.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,460 | 58.9% |
| Cashier | $35,270 | 60.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,320 | 62.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fresno?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $812 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $374,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $37,480 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fresno, CA?
Renting in Fresno costs a median of about $1,789 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Fresno?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $71,560 a year, or $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Fresno cheap or expensive?
Fresno is rated OK: rent takes 28.0% of the typical household income of $76,564. It ranks 151st cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Fresno?
The median homeowner in Fresno pays $2,723 a year in property taxes, about 0.73% of the median home value.
Is Fresno more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Fresno?
The median home value in Fresno is $374,800, about 4.9 times the typical yearly household income.
545,970 people live in Fresno. Numbers are typical (middle) values.