Is it cheaper to live in Fresno or Newark?

Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Fresno, CA's $1,370, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Fresno than in Newark?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Fresno versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Fresno or Newark?

Fresno is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Fresno vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Fresno

California

$1,370/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,370 in Fresno, CA versus $1,210 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Newark, NJ is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Fresno, CA, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno, CA and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 28% higher in Fresno, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Fresno, CA

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$1,072

$1,111

+4% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$1,042

$978

+6% in Fresno, CA

2 Bedroom

$1,293

$1,386

+7% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,695

+0% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,500

$337,800

+3% in Fresno, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$66,804

$48,416

+28% in Fresno, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,910

$61,430

+31% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

34.8 yr

+2.4 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

49.7%

24.1%

+25.6 pp in Fresno, CA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.9%

17.4%

+7.5 pp in Fresno, CA

Avg Commute

22.3 min

33.2 min

+10.9 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

742.2

582.5

+22% in Fresno, CA

Property Crime

3,335.3

1,961.8

+41% in Fresno, CA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

64.4°F

54.9°F

+9.5°F in Fresno, CA

Annual Precipitation

11.5 in

46.3 in

+34.8 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.40/gal

$3.86/gal

+28% in Fresno, CA

Area: California vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.25

—

Adult base one-way fare — FAX vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

33.3

23.3

+30% in Fresno, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.72

$15.93

+23% in Fresno, CA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Fresno, CA

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Fresno, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Fresno, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

Average prices — West vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / NJ)

7.25%

6.625%

+0.6 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

10.75%

+2.6 pp in CA

Fresno vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fresno or Newark?: Newark, NJ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,210 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Fresno, CA's $1,370, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fresno than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Fresno versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Fresno or Newark?: Fresno is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).