Fresno, California is a popular place to live, particularly if you enjoy California.
Fresno is a diverse city and offers plenty to do.
However, it does have its downsides, including a higher-than-average crime rate.
If you are considering moving to Fresno, you’ll want to consider these pros and cons before making your decision.
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Pros of Living in Fresno, CA
Fresno, CA has a lot to offer.
Pros of living in Fresno include:
- Low cost of living
- Great food
- Driving is easy
- Prime location
- Mild winters
- Diversity
- Lots to do
- Above average livability score
- Thriving Arts Scene
Low Cost of Living
The cost of living takes into account many factors, including food, transportation, housing, and other necessities.
Places with a lower cost of living have lower costs in some or all of these areas, while areas with a higher cost of living will have high prices.
The cost of living in Fresno is 109, which makes it 9% higher than the national average.
However, this is 22% less than the average in California, making Fresno one of the least expensive places to live in the Golden State.
Great Food
Food is taken to another level in Fresno.
It’s an ethnic melting pot, with restaurants and shops devoted to different countries, including China, Japan, Mexico, and Armenia.
You’ll find plenty of restaurants, but that’s not all.
You should also check out one of the many food trucks around the city.
Farmer’s markets are very popular, and you can even visit fields where fruits and vegetables are grown.
Restaurants often use locally sourced ingredients, which is great for you and the environment.
Fresno also has a big craft beer scene with plenty of bars and breweries to explore.
The city has several food festivals throughout the year, including Taps and Tacos and Foodielicious.
Driving Is Easy
Most people in Fresno use personal vehicles to get around.
In many cities, this means traffic jams and congestion. However, Fresno has relatively light traffic for a city of its size.
If you enjoy cruising the streets and consider traffic jams the bane of your existence, you should consider Fresno.
Prime Location
Fresno has a great location.
It’s just a few hours away from San Francisco and Los Angeles, which makes it easy to visit these iconic cities.
If you want to travel farther, you have easy access to airports and interstates.
Fresno is also located near to some of the best National Parks in the West.
You are less than 2 hours away from Yosemite, which is an iconic park with the Old Faithful Geyser.
You can also see giant Sequoya trees at Sequoyah National Park, and visit Kings Canyon.
Mild Winters
Fresno has a Mediterranean climate. You’ll have mild winters, and the sun shines most of the year.
In fact, the city gets an average of 300 days of sunshine each year.
This is great if you enjoy being outdoors or simply mild and balmy weather.
Diversity
Fresno is a very diverse city.
In fact, 55% of people in the city are Hispanic or Latino. 35% of the population is white, and 11% are Asian.
5% of the population is Hmong, making it the largest Hmong population in the U.S.
This diversity makes Fresno a cultural melting pot.
You can have a variety of experiences, learn about other cultures, and connect with others from your culture easily.
Lots to Do
Fresno offers lots of activities for everyone to enjoy.
This includes Forestiere Underground Gardens.
Sicilian immigrant Baldassare Forestiere spent 40 years excavating the underground home and gardens by hand.
According to the myth, his goal was to beat the summer heat.
You can also check out the Chaffee Zoo, Island Water Park, and Tower Theater for Performing Arts.
If you love nature, there are plenty of parks, including Woodward Park, so you can enjoy the local forests and wildlife.
Above Average Livability Score
Livability scores are calculated considering many factors, including affordability, housing availability, crime, and activities.
The score for Fresno is 63, which is slightly better than the national average of 62.
It’s significantly better than the average for California, which is 57.
Fresno ranks better than 54% of cities in the U.S.
Thriving Arts Scene
Fresno has a great arts scene.
The Fresno Art Museum is a great place to take in some contemporary or modern art.
You’ll also find Mexican art and Pre-columbian sculptures.
You’ll also find Arte Americas Institution, which features both local and international artists.
ArtHop is an annual event that has live music and extended hours for galleries and museums.
The Tower District is a great place to hang out.
It has theaters, art galleries, and concert venues, so you can enjoy the finer things in life anytime you want.
Cons of Living in Fresno, CA
While Fresno has many benefits, there are also some downsides.
Cons of living in Fresno, California include:
- Air quality
- Hot summers
- Education
- High Sales tax
- Limited job opportunities
- High crime rate
- Poverty and unemployment
- Low home ownership
- Low public transportation availability
Air Quality
Fresno’s air quality typically ranges from fair to poor.
One reason for this is that Fresno is located in a valley.
The mountains surrounding the valley trap pollutants from the area and concentrate them in the city.
Vehicles are the main source of air pollution in Fresno.
Fresno has a lot of traffic, which means there’s a lot of emissions. Factories are another culprit.
Surprisingly, agriculture is another reason for poor air quality in the area.
This is because of fertilizer and pesticides, farm equipment, and transporting produce from farms around the country.
Hot Summers
Winters in Fresno are mild, but summers are not.
The hottest month of the year is typically July, with average temperatures of 98 degrees.
It’s not uncommon for temperatures to soar beyond 100 degrees on the hottest days.
The temperatures average 70 degrees or higher in April, and the hot or warm temperatures extend till October, with an average high in the 80s during the spooky season.
Education
Schools in Fresno leave a lot to be desired.
The average test scores in the city are 22% lower than the national average.
Graduation rates are 13% lower than average.
The rates of higher education are also significantly lower.
The amount of people who graduate with a bachelor’s degree is 33% less than the average for the nation.
Of course, there are some good schools in Fresno, but most schools are not ideal.
Higher education can also be difficult because colleges in the area are typically costly.
In-state tuition is less expensive, but out-of-state tuition is significantly more expensive than the national average.
High Sales Tax
Fresno has a higher sales tax than many other areas of California, with a rate of 8.35%.
This isn’t as high as in some cities, like Los Angeles, which has a rate of 10.25%, but it is higher than the sales tax in 56% of cities in the state.
Limited Job Opportunities
Fresno has limited opportunities for work.
Agriculture thrives in this region, but jobs in other sectors can be hard to find.
Transportation and logistics are also popular career choices in the area.
Jobs in the tech sector are virtually non-existent here.
However, there is a strong entrepreneurial community in the city.
High Crime Rate
The crime rate in Fresno is much higher than average for the nation.
To be specific, you are 59% more likely to be the victim of a crime in Fresno compared to the national average.
Fresno’s crime rate is 42% higher than the average for California as well.
The odds of you being the victim of crime in Fresno is 1 in 27, which is a bit scary.
Fresno residents typically say these concerns are overstated.
Of course, there are some neighborhoods that are much safer than others.
It’s possible to find a relatively safe neighborhood if you have the patience and resources.
Poverty and Unemployment
Fresno has an unemployment rate of 8%, which is 67% higher than the national average.
The median household income is $41,842, which is 24% lower than the average, and per capita income is $20,141, which is 32% below the average.
Unfortunately, poverty is also a big problem in Fresno.
The poverty rate is 20%, compared to 12% in California and the U.S. Poverty is particularly high for African American and Latinx households, with both groups having a poverty rate of more than 50%.
Lower Rate of Home Ownership
Homeownership rates have climbed significantly in the last decade.
Today, 57% of Fresno residents own their own homes.
However, this is lower than many cities, with the national average homeownership rate being 66%.
Pros and Cons of Living in Fresno, CA – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Fresno, CA | Cons of Living in Fresno, CA |
|---|---|
| 1. Low Cost of Living | 1. Air Quality |
| 2. Great Food | 2. Hot Summers |
| 3. Driving Is Easy | 3. Education |
| 4. Prime Location | 4. High Sales Tax |
| 5. Mild Winters | 5. Limited Job Opportunities |
| 6. Diversity | 6. High Crime Rate |
| 7. Lots to Do | 7. Poverty and Unemployment |
| 8. Above Average Livability Score | 8. Lower Rate of Home Ownership |
| 9. Thriving Arts Scene |
Fresno Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Fresno Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fresno, CA, a good place to live?
Fresno can be a great place to live.
It has a central location, and the cost of living is lower than most areas of the state.
Its livability score is slightly better than average as well.
Does Fresno have a homeless problem?
Yes, Fresno does have a homeless population.
Unfortunately, the rate of homelessness went up in 2022 by 6.6%.
Today, there are about 4,500 homeless individuals in Fresno.
Should I Move to Fresno?
If you enjoy living in the city, Fresno can be a great place to call home.
If you enjoy rural farming, you will also enjoy it here.
Want to be part of a thriving culture and arts scene?
You’ll fit in well in Fresno.
There’s truly something for everyone here.
What is a good salary for Fresno?
One person will need to make at least $36,000 to make it in Fresno.
Two adults and one child will need an income of $81,000 to live in the city.
Why is Fresno an inexpensive place to live?
Fresno is inexpensive for a few reasons.
Sales taxes are lower than in some cities in the state, and the high amount of pollution makes it unattractive for some people.
The high crime rate may also be a factor.
Fresno, CA offers a low cost of living, great food options, easy driving, prime location near national parks and major cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles; however it has poor air quality, hot summers with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit on the hottest days, a lower-quality education system compared to the national average, a higher sales tax rate than many other areas in California, limited job opportunities outside of agriculture and transportation sectors , high crime rates that are significantly above both state and national averages , persistent poverty levels especially among African American and Latinx households,and a lower rate of home ownership compared to the national average.