City comparison
No. Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 31 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fresno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,421 a month versus $2,014 in Frisco.
The income gap between Fresno and Frisco is significant: $70,991 median household versus $150,212. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,421 in Fresno and $2,014 in Frisco.
This is a genuine split. Fresno wins on cost of living and Frisco wins on the job market and safety. 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
Fresno and Frisco are 1,320 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $2,014 a month in Frisco, up $593 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $150,212 in Frisco, up $79,221 (112%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 43 in Frisco, down 152 points (78%).
The move
Frisco and Fresno are 1,320 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,014 a month in Frisco to $1,421 a month in Fresno, down $593 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $150,212 in Frisco to $70,991 in Fresno, down $79,221 (53%).
The crime index goes from 43 in Frisco to 195 in Fresno, up 152 points (353%).
Fresno, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Frisco, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Fresno and Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
Fresno rent is 29% cheaper than Frisco
Fresno
Winner$1,421/mo
Frisco
$2,014/mo
Typical rent runs $1,421 a month in Fresno versus $2,014 in Frisco, so Fresno is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $593/month back in your pocket ($7,116/year). Over five years that's $35,580 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Frisco, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Fresno is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
112% higher
Frisco's median income is 112% higher than Fresno
Fresno
$70,991
Frisco
Winner$150,212
Median household income is $150,212 in Frisco versus $70,991 in Fresno, so typical pay runs 112% higher in Frisco (about $79,221 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, Frisco 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
78% lower crime
Frisco's crime index is 78% lower than Fresno
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
Frisco
Winner43 (100 = avg)
Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 195 in Fresno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 78% lower in Frisco. 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, Frisco 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
Fresno and Frisco are about even on typical weather.
Fresno
74°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Frisco
68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fresno averages about 74°F (84°F highs); Frisco averages about 68°F (76°F highs). Fresno sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Frisco sits near 68°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
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 29% 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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Frisco is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 112% higher here ($150,212). Start with Frisco if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Frisco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 78% lower than Fresno (43 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.
Bottom line
Fresno carries the heavier crime signal on this page (40/100 safety vs 86/100 in Frisco). That 46-point spread matters more than the $593 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Fresno rent at $1,421/month is still below Frisco's $2,014, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,421 in Fresno and $2,014 in Frisco.
If safety drives your move, Frisco is the stronger match (86/100 safety versus 40/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Fresno, treat $1,421/month rent and $70,991 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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