Fresno, CA vs Houston, TX
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Fresno
66.6
#1521 nationally
Houston
72.1
#926 nationally
Houston leads in cost of living index (96 vs 123). Fresno leads in average commute (22.3 min vs 28.5 min). Fresno leads in median household income ($63,001 vs $57,791).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.6 (#1521) | 72.1 (#926) |
| Population | 545,716 | 2,314,157 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $390,993 | $263,563 |
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $57,791 |
| Average Commute | 22.3 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 47 | 48 |
| Crime Level | 20.1 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 96 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+5.5 |
D
66.6 Score
Fresno, CA
Major California city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$390,993
Population
545,716
Crime
High
Walk Score
47
Pacific
View Fresno, CA →
C-
72.1 Score
Houston, TX
Space City with global energy
Median Home
$263,563
Population
2,314,157
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Southwest
View Houston, TX →