Head to head
Fresno, CA vs Mesa, AZ
Fresno is cheaper — estimated essentials for a single person run about $56/mo less, and living comfortably there takes roughly $2,000 less in annual salary (taxes included).
It flips for a family. For two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child, Mesa is the cheaper of the two — rent scales to household size using each city's own bedroom spread, and childcare varies even more sharply between cities than rent does.
| Metric | Fresno60 | Mesa68 |
|---|---|---|
| Est. monthly cost (single) | $4,337 | $4,393 |
| Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare) | $10,525 | $10,307 |
| Salary for comfort | $82,000/yr | $80,000/yr |
| Typical rent | $1,664 | $1,839 |
| Median home value | $348,500 | $364,300 |
| Median household income | $66,804 | $78,779 |
| Unemployment | 6.2% | 4.8% |
| Housing score | 36 | 47 |
| Jobs score | 30 | 20 |
| Safety score | 68 | 93 |
| Climate score | 88 | 72 |
| Amenities score | 49 | 92 |
| Population | 543.6K | 507.5K |
| Summer high / winter low | 98° / 38° | 106° / 46° |
Fit scores use the reference profile (single, $6,700/mo gross, default weights). Green marks the better value per row.
Fresno, CA
Mesa, AZ