City comparison
No. Plano's crime index is 62 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 43 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fresno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,421 a month versus $1,841 in Plano.
Safety is where Fresno and Plano split most clearly. Plano scores 133 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,421 in Fresno and $1,841 in Plano.
This is a genuine split. Fresno wins on cost of living and Plano 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 Plano are 1,329 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,841 a month in Plano, up $420 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $112,253 in Plano, up $41,262 (58%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 62 in Plano, down 133 points (68%).
The move
Plano and Fresno are 1,329 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,841 a month in Plano to $1,421 a month in Fresno, down $420 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $112,253 in Plano to $70,991 in Fresno, down $41,262 (37%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Plano to 195 in Fresno, up 133 points (215%).
Fresno, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Plano, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Fresno and Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Fresno rent is 23% cheaper than Plano
Fresno
Winner$1,421/mo
Plano
$1,841/mo
Typical rent runs $1,421 a month in Fresno versus $1,841 in Plano, so Fresno is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $420/month back in your pocket ($5,040/year). Over five years that's $25,200 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 Plano, 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 Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
58% higher
Plano's median income is 58% higher than Fresno
Fresno
$70,991
Plano
Winner$112,253
Median household income is $112,253 in Plano versus $70,991 in Fresno, so typical pay runs 58% higher in Plano (about $41,262 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, Plano 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
68% lower crime
Plano's crime index is 68% lower than Fresno
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
Plano
Winner62 (100 = avg)
Plano's crime index is 62 versus 195 in Fresno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 68% lower in Plano. 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, Plano 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 Plano are about even on typical weather.
Fresno
74°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Plano
69°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fresno averages about 74°F (84°F highs); Plano averages about 69°F (77°F highs). Fresno sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Plano sits near 69°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 23% 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
Plano is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 58% higher here ($112,253). Start with Plano if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Plano is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 68% lower than Fresno (62 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
Crime and safety tilt toward Plano: Plano scores 75/100 versus 40/100 in Fresno, with typical rent at $1,841 versus $1,421. I would vet the exact ZIP in Fresno before trading 35 safety points for housing savings.
Fresno rent at $1,421/month is still below Plano's $1,841, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,421 in Fresno and $1,841 in Plano.
If safety drives your move, Plano is the stronger match (75/100 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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Nearby research
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