Fresno, CA, known as 'The Raisin Capital of the World,' offers a unique blend of agricultural heritage and urban amenities. Located in central California, Fresno is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Clovis and Madera enhance its status as a central point in the region. Fresno's blend of fertile farmland, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Fresno is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, the Forestiere Underground Gardens, and the historic Tower Theatre. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Woodward Park to the bustling River Park shopping center, known for its dining and entertainment options. Fresno's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from farm-to-table cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Big Fresno Fair and the Fresno Greek Fest highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Fresno's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like California State University, Fresno contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Fresno is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Fresno Philharmonic and the Fresno Art Museum are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Fresno provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Fresno’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Grizzlies (MiLB) and Fresno FC (USL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Fresno include agriculture, healthcare, and education, with significant employers such as Community Medical Centers and Fresno Unified School District driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and a developing light rail system, making it easy to navigate the city.
Commute
A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.
Crime
This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.
Health & Safety
A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.
Ratings
Surveys and polls conducted by AreaVibes with residents of the area revealed unfavorable results concerning the walkability of amenities, the availability of parks and public transit access.
Located in the state of California, Fresno is a highly populated city with a population of 526,147 inhabitants. In Fresno, there are 4,551 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of Fresno identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 30% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Fresno tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 31 is far below the national average. In Fresno, only 47% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Fresno, California. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like amenities, crime, cost of living, commute, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Fresno and in the areas around Fresno is a much easier task.
The livability score in Fresno is 65/100 and the city is ranked in the 63rd percentile of all cities across America. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Fresno ranks very well for housing (A-). There is at least one category that did not score well in Fresno. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: crime (F) and cost of living (F).
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Fresno apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Fresno is actually affordable. The median home price for Fresno homes is $256,000, which is 37.5% lower than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Fresno, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.8, which is 25% lower than the California average.
| Statistic | Fresno | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 22min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.7% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.1% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.5% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.5% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.9% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in California
Safest Cities In The US
Most Dangerous Cities In The US
These are the 10 cheapest cities in California