Side-by-side comparison

Fresno vs Seattle

Cost of living comparison for Fresno, California and Seattle, Washington.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 42% more expensive than Fresno. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,226/mo in Fresno.

Rent in Fresno vs Seattle

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fresno · Studio

$1,210

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Seattle is $1,028 (85%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 1 bedroom

$1,217

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Seattle is $1,076 (88%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 2 bedroom

$1,505

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Seattle is $1,166 (77%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 3 bedroom

$2,109

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Seattle is $1,412 (67%) higher than Fresno

Income & earnings in Fresno vs Seattle

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fresno · Household income

$71,434

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Seattle is $50,714 (71%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Individual earnings

$38,046

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Seattle is $29,095 (76%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Per capita

$31,777

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Seattle is $39,285 (124%) higher than Fresno

Home values in Fresno vs Seattle

Average values and property tax.

Fresno · Average home value

$362,600

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Seattle is $448,600 (124%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Annual property tax

$2,704

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Seattle is $4,081 (151%) higher than Fresno

Energy in Fresno vs Seattle

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fresno · Monthly electricity

$167

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Fresno is $58 (53%) higher than Seattle

Fresno · Monthly gas

$50

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Fresno is $2 (4%) higher than Seattle

Fresno · Annual total

$2,604

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Fresno is $720 (38%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Fresno vs Seattle

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fresno · Individual premium

$480

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Fresno and Seattle are about the same

Fresno · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Fresno and Seattle are about the same

Fresno · Uninsured rate

7.0%

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Fresno is 1.8% (35%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Fresno vs Seattle

State income and sales tax.

Fresno · State income tax

13.3%

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Fresno is 13.3% higher than Seattle

Fresno · State sales tax

7.3%

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Fresno is 0.8% (12%) higher than Seattle

Fresno · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Seattle is 1.4% (16%) higher than Fresno

Transportation in Fresno vs Seattle

Commute time and travel modes.

Fresno · Average commute

23.4 min

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Seattle is 4.7 min (20%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Drive alone

74.7%

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Fresno is 22.9% (44%) higher than Seattle

Fresno · Public transit

0.9%

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Seattle is 7.1% (789%) higher than Fresno

Monthly cost estimates in Fresno vs Seattle

All categories combined.

Fresno · Single person

$3,226

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Seattle is $1,362 (42%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Couple

$4,891

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Seattle is $1,533 (31%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Family

$7,702

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Seattle is $1,738 (23%) higher than Fresno

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fresno and Seattle.

Is Fresno or Seattle more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,226/mo in Fresno, California and $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington, a difference of about 42%.

What is the rent difference between Fresno and Seattle?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fresno, California is $1,217/mo versus $2,293/mo in Seattle, Washington. Seattle is approximately $1,076 (88%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fresno or Seattle?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Fresno households earn approximately $71,434 per year; Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year.

More on Fresno and Seattle

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

Fresno profile Seattle 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.