Side-by-side comparison

Fresno vs Phoenix

Cost of living comparison for Fresno, California and Phoenix, Arizona.

Bottom line

Phoenix is approximately 15% more expensive than Fresno. A single person needs about $3,694/mo in Phoenix versus $3,226/mo in Fresno.

Rent in Fresno vs Phoenix

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fresno · Studio

$1,210

Phoenix · Studio

$1,530

Phoenix is $320 (26%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 1 bedroom

$1,217

Phoenix · 1 bedroom

$1,679

Phoenix is $462 (38%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 2 bedroom

$1,505

Phoenix · 2 bedroom

$1,950

Phoenix is $445 (30%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · 3 bedroom

$2,109

Phoenix · 3 bedroom

$2,624

Phoenix is $515 (24%) higher than Fresno

Income & earnings in Fresno vs Phoenix

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fresno · Household income

$71,434

Phoenix · Household income

$85,518

Phoenix is $14,084 (20%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Individual earnings

$38,046

Phoenix · Individual earnings

$46,640

Phoenix is $8,594 (23%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Per capita

$31,777

Phoenix · Per capita

$44,210

Phoenix is $12,433 (39%) higher than Fresno

Home values in Fresno vs Phoenix

Average values and property tax.

Fresno · Average home value

$362,600

Phoenix · Average home value

$414,700

Phoenix is $52,100 (14%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Annual property tax

$2,704

Phoenix · Annual property tax

$1,965

Fresno is $739 (38%) higher than Phoenix

Energy in Fresno vs Phoenix

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fresno · Monthly electricity

$167

Phoenix · Monthly electricity

$150

Fresno is $17 (11%) higher than Phoenix

Fresno · Monthly gas

$50

Phoenix · Monthly gas

$39

Fresno is $11 (28%) higher than Phoenix

Fresno · Annual total

$2,604

Phoenix · Annual total

$2,268

Fresno is $336 (15%) higher than Phoenix

Healthcare in Fresno vs Phoenix

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fresno · Individual premium

$480

Phoenix · Individual premium

$480

Fresno and Phoenix are about the same

Fresno · Family premium

$1,350

Phoenix · Family premium

$1,350

Fresno and Phoenix are about the same

Fresno · Uninsured rate

7.0%

Phoenix · Uninsured rate

10.7%

Phoenix is 3.7% (53%) higher than Fresno

Taxes in Fresno vs Phoenix

State income and sales tax.

Fresno · State income tax

13.3%

Phoenix · State income tax

2.5%

Fresno is 10.8% (432%) higher than Phoenix

Fresno · State sales tax

7.3%

Phoenix · State sales tax

5.6%

Fresno is 1.7% (29%) higher than Phoenix

Fresno · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Phoenix · Combined sales tax

8.4%

Fresno is 0.5% (6%) higher than Phoenix

Transportation in Fresno vs Phoenix

Commute time and travel modes.

Fresno · Average commute

23.4 min

Phoenix · Average commute

26.1 min

Phoenix is 2.7 min (12%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Drive alone

74.7%

Phoenix · Drive alone

66.6%

Fresno is 8.1% (12%) higher than Phoenix

Fresno · Public transit

0.9%

Phoenix · Public transit

1.3%

Phoenix is 0.4% (44%) higher than Fresno

Monthly cost estimates in Fresno vs Phoenix

All categories combined.

Fresno · Single person

$3,226

Phoenix · Single person

$3,694

Phoenix is $468 (15%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Couple

$4,891

Phoenix · Couple

$5,274

Phoenix is $383 (8%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Family

$7,702

Phoenix · Family

$8,098

Phoenix is $396 (5%) higher than Fresno

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fresno and Phoenix.

Is Fresno or Phoenix more expensive?

Phoenix is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,226/mo in Fresno, California and $3,694/mo in Phoenix, Arizona, a difference of about 15%.

What is the rent difference between Fresno and Phoenix?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fresno, California is $1,217/mo versus $1,679/mo in Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix is approximately $462 (38%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fresno or Phoenix?

Phoenix has the higher average household income. Fresno households earn approximately $71,434 per year; Phoenix households earn approximately $85,518 per year.

More on Fresno and Phoenix

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

Fresno profile Phoenix 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.