Loading
Assembling your view…
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
These cities are a genuine bargain: 2 of the 2 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Fresno leads at an index of 99 with rent at just $1,693/month — 11% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced from federal data updated in 2026.
These cities are a genuine bargain: 2 of the 2 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Fresno leads at an index of 99 with rent at just $1,693/month — 11% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced from federal data updated in 2026.
The ranking uses a composite of 2026 data from Census Bureau population/income surveys, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary benchmarks, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Fresno (index 99 — we had to double-check this one — , rent $1,693); Colorado Springs (index 97, rent $1,667). Each city profile below links to the full detail page with 12-month trends, salary breakdowns, and cost category comparisons.
The #1 spot goes to Fresno, and the breakdown explains why. Renters here pay $1,693/month — saving renters $2,424 per year compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Housing is the standout at index 99, keeping costs manageable. The weak spot? Healthcare at 100. The 30% rent-to-income ratio is a pressure point — for median earners, housing takes more than recommended.
The numbers say yes. And from what we can tell, your lifestyle might say not so fast. In Fresno, the healthcare index sits at 100 — not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing about.
Bottom line: Fresno, CA leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
#1 Ranked: Fresno, CA — cost index 99, rent $1,693/mo, income $66,804
2 of 2 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 111
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Cost Index | Median Rent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FresnoCA | 99 | $1,693 | Details |
| 2 | Colorado SpringsCO | 97 | $1,667 | Details |
545,716 residents · California
Why Fresno ranks #1: the numbers tell a clear story. And roughly speaking, at 99 on the cost index, residents save roughly 12% less than the typical American. Rent sits at $1,693/month — for better or worse — while the median household pulls in $66,804/year. The Housing category is particularly strong at 99, though Healthcare (100) lags behind. Home prices average $386,426 — $80,944 below the national median (and that gap widens if you factor in state taxes).
488,664 residents · Colorado
Frankly, Colorado Springs earns its position at #2 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 97 cost index sits 14 points below the national baseline, and the $83,198 median income means purchasing power here is genuinely above average. Homes list at $446,132 — $21,238 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 97, while Healthcare trails at 99.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
Fresno (ranked #1) has a cost index of 99 and rent of $1,693/mo, while Colorado Springs (ranked #2) has a cost index of 97 and rent of $1,667/mo — a 2-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Fresno is $1,693/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $202 below the national median of $1,895/month.
The median home price in Fresno is $386,426, which is 5.8× the local median income. Most median-income households would stretch to buy at this ratio. The national median home price is $467,370.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.