Side-by-side comparison

Fresno vs Houston

Cost of living comparison for Fresno, California and Houston, Texas.

Bottom line

Fresno is approximately 1% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,226/mo in Fresno versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Fresno vs Houston

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fresno · Studio

$1,210

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Houston is $16 (1%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 1 bedroom

$1,217

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Houston is $62 (5%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 2 bedroom

$1,505

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Houston is $24 (2%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 3 bedroom

$2,109

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Fresno is $71 (3%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Fresno vs Houston

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fresno · Household income

$71,434

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Houston is $1,670 (2%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Individual earnings

$38,046

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Houston is $3,692 (10%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Per capita

$31,777

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Houston is $8,201 (26%) higher than Fresno

Home values in Fresno vs Houston

Average values and property tax.

Fresno · Average home value

$362,600

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Fresno is $107,600 (42%) higher than Houston

Fresno · Annual property tax

$2,704

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Houston is $1,678 (62%) higher than Fresno

Energy in Fresno vs Houston

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fresno · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Fresno and Houston are about the same

Fresno · Monthly gas

$50

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Fresno is $18 (56%) higher than Houston

Fresno · Annual total

$2,604

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Fresno is $216 (9%) higher than Houston

Healthcare in Fresno vs Houston

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fresno · Individual premium

$480

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Fresno and Houston are about the same

Fresno · Family premium

$1,350

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Fresno and Houston are about the same

Fresno · Uninsured rate

7.0%

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Houston is 14.2% (203%) higher than Fresno

Taxes in Fresno vs Houston

State income and sales tax.

Fresno · State income tax

13.3%

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Fresno is 13.3% higher than Houston

Fresno · State sales tax

7.3%

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Fresno is 1.0% (16%) higher than Houston

Fresno · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Fresno is 0.7% (8%) higher than Houston

Transportation in Fresno vs Houston

Commute time and travel modes.

Fresno · Average commute

23.4 min

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Houston is 5.6 min (24%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Drive alone

74.7%

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Fresno is 2.3% (3%) higher than Houston

Fresno · Public transit

0.9%

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Houston is 1.2% (133%) higher than Fresno

Monthly cost estimates in Fresno vs Houston

All categories combined.

Fresno · Single person

$3,226

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Fresno is $41 (1%) higher than Houston

Fresno · Couple

$4,891

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Fresno is $355 (8%) higher than Houston

Fresno · Family

$7,702

Houston · Family

$7,187

Fresno is $515 (7%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fresno and Houston.

Is Fresno or Houston more expensive?

Fresno is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,226/mo in Fresno, California and $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas, a difference of about 1%.

What is the rent difference between Fresno and Houston?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fresno, California is $1,217/mo versus $1,279/mo in Houston, Texas. Houston is approximately $62 (5%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fresno or Houston?

Houston has the higher average household income. Fresno households earn approximately $71,434 per year; Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year.

More on Fresno and Houston

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Fresno profile Houston profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.