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Side-by-side comparison

Fresno vs Raleigh

Cost of living comparison for Fresno, California and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Raleigh is approximately 19% more expensive than Fresno. A single person needs about $3,827/mo in Raleigh versus $3,226/mo in Fresno.

Rent in Fresno vs Raleigh

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Fresno · Studio
$1,210
Raleigh · Studio
$1,533
Raleigh is $323 (27%) higher than Fresno
Fresno · 1 bedroom
$1,217
Raleigh · 1 bedroom
$1,592
Raleigh is $375 (31%) higher than Fresno
Fresno · 2 bedroom
$1,505
Raleigh · 2 bedroom
$1,763
Raleigh is $258 (17%) higher than Fresno
Fresno · 3 bedroom
$2,109
Raleigh · 3 bedroom
$2,192
Raleigh is $83 (4%) higher than Fresno

Income & earnings in Fresno vs Raleigh

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Fresno · Household income
$71,434
Raleigh · Household income
$101,763
Raleigh is $30,329 (42%) higher than Fresno
Fresno · Individual earnings
$38,046
Raleigh · Individual earnings
$54,712
Raleigh is $16,666 (44%) higher than Fresno
Fresno · Per capita
$31,777
Raleigh · Per capita
$52,949
Raleigh is $21,172 (67%) higher than Fresno

Home values in Fresno vs Raleigh

Average values and property tax.

Fresno · Average home value
$362,600
Raleigh · Average home value
$422,800
Raleigh is $60,200 (17%) higher than Fresno
Fresno · Annual property tax
$2,704
Raleigh · Annual property tax
$3,023
Raleigh is $319 (12%) higher than Fresno

Energy in Fresno vs Raleigh

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Fresno · Monthly electricity
$167
Raleigh · Monthly electricity
$147
Fresno is $20 (14%) higher than Raleigh
Fresno · Monthly gas
$50
Raleigh · Monthly gas
$40
Fresno is $10 (25%) higher than Raleigh
Fresno · Annual total
$2,604
Raleigh · Annual total
$2,244
Fresno is $360 (16%) higher than Raleigh

Healthcare in Fresno vs Raleigh

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Fresno · Individual premium
$480
Raleigh · Individual premium
$480
Fresno and Raleigh are about the same
Fresno · Family premium
$1,350
Raleigh · Family premium
$1,350
Fresno and Raleigh are about the same
Fresno · Uninsured rate
7.0%
Raleigh · Uninsured rate
8.2%
Raleigh is 1.2% (17%) higher than Fresno

Taxes in Fresno vs Raleigh

State income and sales tax.

Fresno · State income tax
13.3%
Raleigh · State income tax
4.5%
Fresno is 8.8% (196%) higher than Raleigh
Fresno · State sales tax
7.3%
Raleigh · State sales tax
4.8%
Fresno is 2.5% (53%) higher than Raleigh
Fresno · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Raleigh · Combined sales tax
7.0%
Fresno is 1.8% (26%) higher than Raleigh

Transportation in Fresno vs Raleigh

Commute time and travel modes.

Fresno · Average commute
23.4 min
Raleigh · Average commute
25.3 min
Raleigh is 1.9 min (8%) higher than Fresno
Fresno · Drive alone
74.7%
Raleigh · Drive alone
64.4%
Fresno is 10.3% (16%) higher than Raleigh
Fresno · Public transit
0.9%
Raleigh · Public transit
0.7%
Fresno is 0.2% (29%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in Fresno vs Raleigh

All categories combined.

Fresno · Single person
$3,226
Raleigh · Single person
$3,827
Raleigh is $601 (19%) higher than Fresno
Fresno · Couple
$4,891
Raleigh · Couple
$5,526
Raleigh is $635 (13%) higher than Fresno
Fresno · Family
$7,702
Raleigh · Family
$8,087
Raleigh is $385 (5%) higher than Fresno

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Fresno and Raleigh.

Is Fresno or Raleigh more expensive?

Raleigh is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,226/mo in Fresno, California and $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina, a difference of about 19%.

What is the rent difference between Fresno and Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in Fresno, California is $1,217/mo versus $1,592/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina. Raleigh is approximately $375 (31%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Fresno or Raleigh?

Raleigh has the higher average household income. Fresno households earn approximately $71,434 per year; Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year.

More on Fresno and Raleigh

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

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.