Moving to Fresno? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Fresno, a small city in the Californian San Joaquin Valley, began life as a stop on the Central Pacific Railroad. It is now one of the top-producing areas of agriculture in the US, ranging from grapes, almonds, cotton and peaches.

If you are considering moving to Fresno, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in ‘The Raisin Capital.’

Quick Fresno Facts:

Population: 545,567 (2022)
Official Language: English (de facto) with many other languages being spoken, including Spanish, Hmong, Laotian, Cambodian, Chinese, Armenian and Tagalog.
Median Income: $30,973 (USD) (2022)
Raisins: It’s estimated that half the world’s raisins come from Fresno, with 90% of the US’s raisins being produced in the area.
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of 2024, £1 = $1.30, €1 = $1.09, $1 CAD = $0.73, $1 AUD = $0.67

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Fresno

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from some of the largest cities in the US and around the world and shipping it to Fresno:

Origin City	20FT	40FT
Beijing	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,500 - $6,000
Berlin	$4,800 - $5,300	$7,600 - $8,100
Chongqing	$3,400 - $3,900	$5,400 - $5,900
Chicago	$2,800 - $3,300	$4,500 - $5,000
Delhi	$3,700 - $4,200	$5,800 - $6,300
Dubai	$4,200 - $4,700	$6,500 - $7,000
Houston	$3,100 - $3,600	$4,900 - $5,400
London	$4,200 - $4,700	$6,700 - $7,200
Los Angeles	$1,200 - $1,500	$1,900 - $2,200
Madrid	$4,400 - $4,900	$7,000 - $7,500
New York City	$3,000 - $3,500	$4,800 - $5,300
Paris	$4,600 - $5,100	$7,300 - $7,800
Phoenix	$2,700 - $3,200	$4,300 - $4,800
Rome	$4,500 - $5,000	$7,200 - $7,700
Shanghai	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,700 - $6,200
Sydney	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,000 - $6,500
Toronto	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,600 - $6,100
Vancouver	$3,200 - $3,700	$5,100 - $5,600
Vienna	$4,700 - $5,200	$7,400 - $7,900

All figures are in USD;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (July 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Freightos, iContainers, or SeaRates;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

You could also save money by comparing movers using the quote form below:

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2. Fresno Housing Costs

Property in Fresno is far more affordable than in many other cities in California.

Monthly Rental Prices in Fresno:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1,400+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,425+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $2,525+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $2,000+

Fresno Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $2,440+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $1,600+

Fresno Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Fresno compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 36.9% more expensive
New York is 58% more expensive
Los Angeles is 43.4% more expensive
Toronto is 28.33% more expensive
Sydney is 24% more expensive
Paris is 1.7% more expensive
Dubai is 15.4% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: RoomLaLa
Different Areas – Different Prices: Fresno has a variety of neighbourhoods, reflecting its ethnically-diverse makeup. Old Fig Garden is one of the most affluent suburbs of Fresno and has some of the most expensive real estate in the city. Downtown Fresno, or Central as it’s often called, has been revamped in the last decade and now has a variety of living space, with new malls and entertainment centres. This area is very popular with young professionals. If the countryside and open spaces are what you are looking for, then Woodward Park is the place to live. It has a variety of housing types to suit all needs and pockets. Old Fig Garden and Huntington Boulevard are two of the upscale areas of Fresno. There is a wide range of properties available, good local amenities and schools in both areas. If you are looking for cultural diversity then move to the Tower District, home to Mardi Gras and Jamaica My Weekend.

3. Fresno Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

The Fresno area is famous for its grapes and stone fruit orchards and a wide variety of vegetables. There are some good restaurants in and around the city, but Fresno isn’t known for its fine dining experience.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $17.00
Takeout Coffee: $4.80
Bottle of Coke: $2.50
1L of Milk: $1.10
Loaf of Bread: $2.90
12 Eggs: $3.35
1kg Chicken: $10.90
1kg Beef: $17.70
1kg Apples: $4.10
1kg White Rice: $3.10

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 7% more expensive and groceries are 25.5% cheaper than Fresno.
New York restaurants are 29.6% more expensive and groceries are 32.5% more expensive than Fresno.
Los Angeles restaurants are 20.4% more expensive and groceries are 11.9% more expensive than Fresno.
Toronto restaurants are 5.7% more expensive and groceries are 1.7% cheaper than Fresno.
Sydney restaurants are 8.5% more expensive and groceries are 12% higher than Fresno.
Paris restaurants are 3.4% cheaper and groceries are 8.1% more expensive than Fresno.
Dubai restaurants are 1.7% more expensive and groceries are 38.4% cheaper than Fresno.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Fresno has a number of independently owned grocery stores, which reflect the ethnic diversity of the city, as well as the usual supermarket chains. There are also some excellent farmers’ markets which sell local produce, and shops which sell health foods and organic foods. Popular supermarkets are Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, Foodmaxx (discount supermarket) and Island Pacific (Filipino food).
Find Cheap Eats: Fresno has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor, Yelp and Foursquare.

4. Fresno Alcohol Costs

Fresno, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $6.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $7.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $2.50
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $6.30
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $10.50

How To Drink For Less in Fresno:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Fresno has many affordable bars. Try Tahoe Joe’s for an all-day Happy Hour or Elephant Bar where they have a daily happy hour from 9:00 pm until closing. Have a look at the following sites to see which venue suits you – Foursquare, Yelp, Total Happy Hour and Trip Advisor.

5. Fresno Transportation Fares

Fresno’s public transport system is run by the Fresno Department of Transport. It has 16 fixed bus routes and a Handy Ride Paratransit service. The metropolitan area has 100 buses servicing its routes. Fresno Area Express offers free rides at certain times of the day. Take a look at their website for further information.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

Adult single – $1.50
One-day ticket – $3.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $37.50

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Children under 6 are free
Seniors only pay 60c a journey instead of $1.25
Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option. Fresno likes to think of itself as a bike-friendly city and has introduced many miles of bike lanes over the last few years.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Fresno

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

December is the chilliest month in Fresno, if an average temperature of 3°C. The hottest month is July, where the average high is 36°C. March is the wettest month, with an average of 56mm of rain.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $44 – $46
Summer Dress: $35 – $48
Running Shoes (Trainers): $72 – $75
Business Shoes: $130
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $130
Deodorant: $4.00
Shampoo: $5.00
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $3.00
Gym Membership: $34.00 per month
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $15.00

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Fresno

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Fresno. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Fresno from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Fresno:

Volkswagen Golf: $28,000+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $1.28
Other Fees (if any): The average cost of state and local taxes, license, title and registration fees is $665 per annum

Source: Expatistan, AAA Study

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Fresno:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Craigslist
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in Fresno

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

Sales Tax in Fresno is 7.98% and is added to most goods and services. Generally, the price you see on an item does not include sales tax.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Fresno at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Fresno you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from Fresno

If you do make the move to Fresno, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

London: $665
New York: $131
Los Angeles: $90
Toronto: $150
Vancouver: $150
Dubai: $650
Sydney: $1,400
Melbourne: $750
Cape Town: $1,100
Hong Kong: $980

Other Tips on Moving to Fresno:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Fresno but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Fresno Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Fresno.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in. Perhaps the Central Valley Hiking Group, the Kayak Club or the Board Game Group appeals to you.
Attend Local Events: Fresno always has something going on. Have a look at Play Fresno, Trip Advisor and Fresnobee.

12. Moving to Fresno with a Family

Fresno has a high population of families. 17% of the population is below the age of 9. The crime rate is still quite high but it is dropping, and obviously, some areas are safer than others. The city has lots of parks, green spaces and plenty of sunshine.

New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at Fresno Women’s Medical Group.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Old Fig Garden is at the top end of the market and is an area with large family homes. It also has excellent schools and other amenities. Huntington Boulevard is an area with large, old houses, many of which have been renovated. This historic part of Fresno has good schools and is close to amenities and public transport. Woodward Park is a great area for families with its large green spaces, equestrian trails, parks, gardens and playgrounds. Hoover is an affordable family friendly suburb with good schools and amenities on hand. Fresno High Roeding is close to downtown and all it has to offer. The area also has housing suitable for families, good schools and Fresno City College.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Fresno. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Family Days Out, Yelp, Tripbuzz and Trekaroo.

13. Moving to Fresno for Work

While it is possible to move to Fresno without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. Jobs in Fresno are around 50% white collar and 50% blue collar with the major employers being in the retail, agriculture and service industries. The unemployment rate in Fresno is above the national average.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Fresno, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster, Indeed, Snagajob, Craigslist and Career Builder. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Fresno from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Fresno, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Fresno with a city in Australia, then the closest would be a city midway in size between Newcastle and the Gold Coast.
Join Expat Groups: There are so few Australians in Fresno that there isn’t a dedicated site. However, you can always start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Fresno from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Fresno. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: If you compare the size of the population of Fresno with a city of the same size in Canada, you’d be looking at a city a little larger than Kitchener.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Fresno from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Fresno. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: If you look at the population size of Fresno and compare it with a city of the same size in the UK, you’d be looking at a city slightly smaller than Sheffield.
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Fresno, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Fresno you can start by comparing moving quotes here.

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