Fresno, CA vs Santa Barbara, 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
Santa Barbara
59.8
#1944 nationally
Fresno leads in cost of living index (123 vs 225). Santa Barbara leads in median household income ($98,346 vs $63,001). Santa Barbara leads in walk score (61 vs 47).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.6 (#1521) | 59.8 (#1944) |
| Population | 545,716 | 86,499 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $390,993 | $1,848,325 |
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $98,346 |
| Average Commute | 22.3 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 47 | 61 |
| Crime Level | 20.1 | 17.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 225 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+4.4 | D+26.7 |
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 →
F
59.8 Score
Santa Barbara, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,848,325
Population
86,499
Crime
High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Santa Barbara, CA →
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