Fresno CA

In Fresno, the rent-to-income burden runs around 24% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $70,991 and median rent is $1,421/month. A staggering 55% of renters here are housing-cost-burdened — spending 30% or more of their income just to keep a roof overhead. Median home value: $374,800 — that's 5.3× the median income. Employment picture: 8.88% unemployment — a softer job market. Poverty rate: 20.1% — well above the national average. The headline economic numbers hide a bifurcated city. Average commute: 22 minutes — acceptable. Violent crime: 63.6/100k avg monthly rate (15750 reported); Property crime: 273/100k avg monthly rate (67549 reported). Fresno was founded in 1872 — that's 154 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 114.7 sq miles at 4,761 people/sq mile — moderately dense. Elevation: 308 ft — modest elevation. Fresno has 15 sister cities — cosmopolitan on paper, at least. RoastMyCity overall score: 58/100 — It Depends.