City comparison
No. Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 112 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fresno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,421 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
Safety is where Fresno and Tampa split most clearly. Tampa scores 102 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 $1,701 in Tampa.
This is a genuine split. Fresno wins on cost of living and Tampa 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 Tampa are 2,246 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $280 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $75,475 in Tampa, up $4,484 (6%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 93 in Tampa, down 102 points (52%).
The move
Tampa and Fresno are 2,246 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $1,421 a month in Fresno, down $280 a month (16%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $70,991 in Fresno, down $4,484 (6%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 195 in Fresno, up 102 points (110%).
Fresno, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Tampa, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Fresno and Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
16% cheaper
Fresno rent is 16% cheaper than Tampa
Fresno
Winner$1,421/mo
Tampa
$1,701/mo
Typical rent runs $1,421 a month in Fresno versus $1,701 in Tampa, so Fresno is 16% 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 $3,360, 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 Tampa.
Planning to buy in Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Tampa's median income is 6% higher than Fresno
Fresno
$70,991
Tampa
Winner$75,475
Median household income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $70,991 in Fresno, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Tampa (about $4,484 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
52% lower crime
Tampa's crime index is 52% lower than Fresno
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
Tampa
Winner93 (100 = avg)
Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 195 in Fresno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 52% lower in Tampa. 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, Tampa 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 Tampa are about even on typical weather.
Fresno
74°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tampa
75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fresno averages about 74°F (84°F highs); Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs). Fresno sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tampa sits near 75°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 16% 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
Tampa is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 6% higher here ($75,475). Start with Tampa if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Tampa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 52% lower than Fresno (93 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: Tampa scores 62/100 versus 40/100 in Fresno. Rent is $1,701/month in Tampa and $1,421/month in Fresno, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Tampa still pays more locally ($75,475 median income vs $70,991), which can offset the lease if your field pays Tampa rates.
Median income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $70,991 in Fresno.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Tampa; Fresno only makes sense when you have walked the Fresno ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,421 rent.
Common questions
Ready to move to Tampa?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Tampa when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Fresno and Tampa, plus other cities in CA and FL.
