Fresno, CA vs Monterey, CA
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
Monterey
62.7
#1834 nationally
Monterey leads in crime level (10.5 vs 20.1). Fresno leads in cost of living index (123 vs 192). Monterey leads in median household income ($98,003 vs $63,001).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Monterey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.6 (#1521) | 62.7 (#1834) |
| Population | 545,716 | 29,116 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $390,993 | $1,179,065 |
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $98,003 |
| Average Commute | 22.3 min | 19.1 min |
| Walk Score | 47 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 20.1 | 10.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 192 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+29.9 |
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 →
D-
62.7 Score
Monterey, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,179,065
Population
29,116
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Monterey, CA →