Side-by-side comparison

Fresno vs Tucson

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

Bottom line

Fresno is approximately 9% more expensive than Tucson. A single person needs about $3,226/mo in Fresno versus $2,971/mo in Tucson.

Rent in Fresno vs Tucson

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fresno · Studio

$1,210

Tucson · Studio

$941

Fresno is $269 (29%) higher than Tucson

Fresno · 1 bedroom

$1,217

Tucson · 1 bedroom

$1,052

Fresno is $165 (16%) higher than Tucson

Fresno · 2 bedroom

$1,505

Tucson · 2 bedroom

$1,373

Fresno is $132 (10%) higher than Tucson

Fresno · 3 bedroom

$2,109

Tucson · 3 bedroom

$1,924

Fresno is $185 (10%) higher than Tucson

Income & earnings in Fresno vs Tucson

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fresno · Household income

$71,434

Tucson · Household income

$67,929

Fresno is $3,505 (5%) higher than Tucson

Fresno · Individual earnings

$38,046

Tucson · Individual earnings

$37,642

Fresno is $404 (1%) higher than Tucson

Fresno · Per capita

$31,777

Tucson · Per capita

$38,564

Tucson is $6,787 (21%) higher than Fresno

Home values in Fresno vs Tucson

Average values and property tax.

Fresno · Average home value

$362,600

Tucson · Average home value

$286,900

Fresno is $75,700 (26%) higher than Tucson

Fresno · Annual property tax

$2,704

Tucson · Annual property tax

$2,248

Fresno is $456 (20%) higher than Tucson

Energy in Fresno vs Tucson

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fresno · Monthly electricity

$167

Tucson · Monthly electricity

$150

Fresno is $17 (11%) higher than Tucson

Fresno · Monthly gas

$50

Tucson · Monthly gas

$39

Fresno is $11 (28%) higher than Tucson

Fresno · Annual total

$2,604

Tucson · Annual total

$2,268

Fresno is $336 (15%) higher than Tucson

Healthcare in Fresno vs Tucson

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fresno · Individual premium

$480

Tucson · Individual premium

$480

Fresno and Tucson are about the same

Fresno · Family premium

$1,350

Tucson · Family premium

$1,350

Fresno and Tucson are about the same

Fresno · Uninsured rate

7.0%

Tucson · Uninsured rate

8.9%

Tucson is 1.9% (27%) higher than Fresno

Taxes in Fresno vs Tucson

State income and sales tax.

Fresno · State income tax

13.3%

Tucson · State income tax

2.5%

Fresno is 10.8% (432%) higher than Tucson

Fresno · State sales tax

7.3%

Tucson · State sales tax

5.6%

Fresno is 1.7% (29%) higher than Tucson

Fresno · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Tucson · Combined sales tax

8.4%

Fresno is 0.5% (6%) higher than Tucson

Transportation in Fresno vs Tucson

Commute time and travel modes.

Fresno · Average commute

23.4 min

Tucson · Average commute

24.4 min

Tucson is 1.0 min (4%) higher than Fresno

Fresno · Drive alone

74.7%

Tucson · Drive alone

70.7%

Fresno is 4.0% (6%) higher than Tucson

Fresno · Public transit

0.9%

Tucson · Public transit

1.6%

Tucson is 0.7% (78%) higher than Fresno

Monthly cost estimates in Fresno vs Tucson

All categories combined.

Fresno · Single person

$3,226

Tucson · Single person

$2,971

Fresno is $255 (9%) higher than Tucson

Fresno · Couple

$4,891

Tucson · Couple

$4,443

Fresno is $448 (10%) higher than Tucson

Fresno · Family

$7,702

Tucson · Family

$7,144

Fresno is $558 (8%) higher than Tucson

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fresno and Tucson.

Is Fresno or Tucson more expensive?

Fresno is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,226/mo in Fresno, California and $2,971/mo in Tucson, Arizona, a difference of about 9%.

What is the rent difference between Fresno and Tucson?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fresno, California is $1,217/mo versus $1,052/mo in Tucson, Arizona. Fresno is approximately $165 (16%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fresno or Tucson?

Fresno has the higher average household income. Fresno households earn approximately $71,434 per year; Tucson households earn approximately $67,929 per year.

More on Fresno and Tucson

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

Fresno profile Tucson 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.