City comparison
No. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fresno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,421 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
Safety is where Fresno and Raleigh split most clearly. Raleigh scores 53 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 $1,572 in Raleigh.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Fresno costs less and Raleigh pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Raleigh has rougher pockets and Fresno has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Fresno and Raleigh are 2,275 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $151 a month (11%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $14,404 (20%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 142 in Raleigh, down 53 points (27%).
The move
Raleigh and Fresno are 2,275 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,421 a month in Fresno, down $151 a month (10%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $70,991 in Fresno, down $14,404 (17%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 195 in Fresno, up 53 points (37%).
Fresno, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Raleigh, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Fresno and Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
10% cheaper
Fresno rent is 10% cheaper than Raleigh
Fresno
Winner$1,421/mo
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Typical rent runs $1,421 a month in Fresno versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Fresno is 10% 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 $1,812, 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 Raleigh.
Planning to buy in Fresno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
20% higher
Raleigh's median income is 20% higher than Fresno
Fresno
$70,991
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $70,991 in Fresno, so typical pay runs 20% higher in Raleigh (about $14,404 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, Raleigh 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
27% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 27% lower than Fresno
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 195 in Fresno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 27% lower in Raleigh. 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, Raleigh 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
16% more comfortable
Fresno weather is 16% more comfortable than Raleigh
Fresno
Winner69°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Fresno averages about 69°F (78°F highs); Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs). Fresno sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Raleigh averages around 60°F. Fresno scores 16% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Raleigh if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Fresno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 10% 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.
Pick Fresno if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (69°F) beat Raleigh on this page's weather index by 16%. Raleigh may pay more or cost less, but Fresno is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Raleigh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 20% higher here ($85,395). Start with Raleigh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 27% lower than Fresno (142 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
Safety is the widest gap: Raleigh scores 49/100 versus 40/100 in Fresno. Rent is $1,572/month in Raleigh and $1,421/month in Fresno, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Fresno rent at $1,421/month is still below Raleigh's $1,572, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 69°F in Fresno and 60°F in Raleigh.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Raleigh; Fresno only makes sense when you have walked the Fresno ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,421 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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