City vs city
Fresno, CA vs Houston, TX
- Rent is 4% lower in Houston (median $1,361/mo vs $1,421/mo in Fresno).
- Homes cost 35% less in Houston ($278k vs $375k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $305 more a month after taxes and rent in Houston.
- Houston has no state income tax on wages; Fresno does.
- Schools rate higher in Houston (3.4/10 vs 1.4/10).
- Fresno has less violent crime (7.2 vs 8.9 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Houston has milder winters (55°F vs 48°F average).
- Fresno gets more sun (271 vs 204 sunny days a year).
| Fresno | Houston | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,421/mo | $1,361/mo |
| Median home value | $375k | $278k |
| Median household income | $71k | $65k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,467 | $3,772 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | None |
| School rating | 1.4/10 | 3.4/10 |
| Violent crime | 2.0× the US rate | 2.5× the US rate |
| Summer average | 98°F | 94°F |
| Winter average | 48°F | 55°F |
| Sunny days a year | 271 | 204 |
| Walk score | 42 | 49 |
| Population | 545,970 | 2,328,253 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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