City comparison
Yes. Austin's crime index is 162 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fresno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,421 a month versus $1,729 in Austin.
The income gap between Austin and Fresno is significant: $93,658 median household versus $70,991. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,729 in Austin and $1,421 in Fresno.
This is a genuine split. Austin wins on the job market and safety and Fresno wins on cost of living. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Fresno at $1,421 average has pockets that run $1,221 and others at $1,821: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Austin and Fresno are 1,342 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,729 a month in Austin to $1,421 a month in Fresno, down $308 a month (18%).
Median household income goes from $93,658 in Austin to $70,991 in Fresno, down $22,667 (24%).
The crime index goes from 162 in Austin to 195 in Fresno, up 33 points (20%).
The move
Fresno and Austin are 1,342 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,729 a month in Austin, up $308 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $93,658 in Austin, up $22,667 (32%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 162 in Austin, down 33 points (17%).
Austin, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Fresno, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Austin and Fresno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
18% cheaper
Fresno rent is 18% cheaper than Austin
Austin
$1,729/mo
Fresno
Winner$1,421/mo
Typical rent runs $1,421 a month in Fresno versus $1,729 in Austin, so Fresno is 18% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,696, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Fresno still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Austin.
Planning to buy in Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
32% higher
Austin's median income is 32% higher than Fresno
Austin
Winner$93,658
Fresno
$70,991
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin versus $70,991 in Fresno, so typical pay runs 32% higher in Austin (about $22,667 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Austin is the stronger labor market on paper. Fresno can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
17% lower crime
Austin's crime index is 17% lower than Fresno
Austin
Winner162 (100 = avg)
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
Austin's crime index is 162 versus 195 in Fresno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 17% lower in Austin. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Austin is the easier city. Fresno can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Austin and Fresno are about even on typical weather.
Austin
76°F avg · 85°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fresno
73°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Austin averages about 76°F (85°F highs); Fresno averages about 73°F (83°F highs). Austin sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Fresno sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Austin is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 32% higher here ($93,658). Start with Austin if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Austin is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 17% lower than Fresno (162 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Fresno
Fresno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 18% cheaper here at about $1,421 a month. Choose Fresno if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,421/month in Fresno versus $1,729 in Austin. Median income reads $70,991 in Fresno and $93,658 in Austin, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Fresno rent at $1,421/month is still below Austin's $1,729, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 45/100 in Austin and 40/100 in Fresno.
Fresno clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Austin deserves a serious look only when your $93,658 income offer in Austin outweighs saving $308/month in Fresno.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and Fresno, plus other cities in TX and CA.
