City comparison
Yes. Oklahoma City's crime index is 183 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 197 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $1,421 in Fresno.
Oklahoma City and Fresno are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,130 in Oklahoma City and $1,421 in Fresno, and median household income lands at $68,656 versus $70,991. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Oklahoma City costs less and Fresno 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 rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Oklahoma City at $1,130 average has pockets that run $930 and others at $1,530: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Oklahoma City and Fresno are 1,243 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $1,421 a month in Fresno, up $291 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $70,991 in Fresno, up $2,335 (3%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 195 in Fresno, up 12 points (7%).
The move
Fresno and Oklahoma City are 1,243 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $291 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $2,335 (3%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 183 in Oklahoma City, down 12 points (6%).
Oklahoma City, OK
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 Oklahoma City and Fresno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 20% cheaper than Fresno
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
Fresno
$1,421/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,421 in Fresno, so Oklahoma City is 20% 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 $3,492, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Oklahoma City still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Fresno.
Planning to buy in Oklahoma City? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
3% higher
Fresno's median income is 3% higher than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
$68,656
Fresno
Winner$70,991
Median household income is $70,991 in Fresno versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 3% higher in Fresno (about $2,335 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
6% lower crime
Oklahoma City's crime index is 6% lower than Fresno
Oklahoma City
Winner183 (100 = avg)
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
Oklahoma City's crime index is 183 versus 195 in Fresno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 6% lower in Oklahoma City. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Oklahoma City, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Fresno. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Fresno weather is 12% more comfortable than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Fresno
Winner74°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Oklahoma City averages about 61°F (69°F highs); Fresno averages about 74°F (84°F highs). Oklahoma City averages around 61°F. Fresno sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Fresno scores 12% 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 Oklahoma City if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 20% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Oklahoma City is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 6% lower than Fresno (183 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 3% higher ($70,991), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,130/month in Oklahoma City versus $1,421 in Fresno. Median income reads $68,656 in Oklahoma City and $70,991 in Fresno, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Oklahoma City rent at $1,130/month is still below Fresno's $1,421, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 42/100 in Oklahoma City and 40/100 in Fresno.
Oklahoma City clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Fresno deserves a serious look only when your $70,991 income offer in Fresno outweighs saving $291/month in Oklahoma City.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Oklahoma City and Fresno, plus other cities in OK and CA.
