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Fresno vs Sacramento: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Sacramento is 24% more expensive than Fresno. Sacramento is 2% safer. Fresno population: 555,549. Sacramento population: 536,449.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingFresno
SafetyTie
HousingFresno

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Fresno vs Sacramento

Fresno is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 105 vs 130 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 25 index points.

CategoryFresnoSacramento
Overall Index105130
Housing$2,314/moIndex: 130$3,382/moIndex: 190
Groceries$418/moIndex: 102$435/moIndex: 106
Transportation$368/moIndex: 105$378/moIndex: 108
Healthcare$326/moIndex: 102$336/moIndex: 105
Utilities$202/moIndex: 92$202/moIndex: 92

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Fresno vs Sacramento

Sacramento is 2% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 residents vs Fresno's 23.4. Sacramento earns a C+ safety grade compared to Fresno's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

C+

Fresno

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.4/1K
TrendDeclining
C+

Sacramento

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23/1K
TrendStable
MetricFresnoSacramento
Overall Crime Rate23.4/1K23/1K
Violent Crime Rate430.6414.0
Property Crime Rate1912.41886.2
Murder Rate5.88.4
Assault Rate333.7276.2
Robbery Rate85.765.8
Burglary Rate217.5279.7
Theft Rate1400.31539.8
Vehicle Theft Rate324.2297.0

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Fresno, you have a 1 in 43 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in Sacramento.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for Sacramento. A full comparison requires both cities.

Sacramento Climate Overview

Annual High74.1°F
Annual Low50°F
Annual Rain19.6"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months7
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresno cheaper than Sacramento?
Fresno is 24% more affordable than Sacramento, with a cost of living index of 105 vs 130 (100 = national average). Housing is the biggest difference, at $2,314/mo in Fresno vs $3,382/mo in Sacramento.
Is Fresno safer than Sacramento?
Sacramento is 2% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 residents vs Fresno's 23.4. Sacramento earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Fresno or Sacramento?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento is safer (C+ grade). Fresno is more affordable (index 105 vs 130). Fresno has a population of 555,549 and Sacramento has 536,449. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Fresno compared to Sacramento?
Fresno has a population of 555,549 and Sacramento has 536,449. Fresno is 4% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Fresno or Sacramento?
Housing is cheaper in Fresno. Estimated monthly housing costs: Fresno $2,314/mo vs Sacramento $3,382/mo. That's based on a housing index of 130 vs 190 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

C+
Fresno Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
Sacramento Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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