CostIndexUSA

Fresno, CA vs Tucson, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fresno
102.2
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableAZ
Tucson
96.9
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Tucson is moderately cheaper than Fresno — 5.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fresno, you would need $75,800 in Tucson. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing4.1%
Fresno
95.7
Tucson
91.8
🛒 Groceries8.6%
Fresno
105.2
Tucson
96.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Fresno
105.3
Tucson
104.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Fresno
95.3
Tucson
94.8
Utilities44.4%
Fresno
161
Tucson
89.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fresno to see what you'd need to earn in Tucson to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Tucson, AZ
$75,800
$4,200 less needed in Tucson

Formula: salary × (96.9 ÷ 102.2) = salary × 0.9481. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fresno, CA

Median Home Price
$401,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
95.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Tucson, AZ

Median Home Price
$338,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
91.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.1×

Fresno has 4.1% lower housing costs compared to Tucson.

Income & Job Market

Fresno, CA

Median Household Income
$71,100
Per Capita Income
$40,500
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
Population
542,107
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

Tucson, AZ

Median Household Income
$69,800
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
542,629
Top Industries
MilitaryEducationHealthcareTourismManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fresno, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Tucson, AZ
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.