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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Let's be honest: these cities aren't cheap. But within that premium market, there are cities where your dollar stretches meaningfully further. Fresno proves it with a cost index of 105, and we've ranked all 2 contenders to help you find the best deal in an expensive landscape.
Let's be honest: these cities aren't cheap. But within that premium market, there are cities where your dollar stretches meaningfully further. Fresno proves it with a cost index of 105, and we've ranked all 2 contenders to help you find the best deal in an expensive landscape.
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 105 — we had to double-check this one — , rent $1,693); Colorado Springs (index 107, 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, Utilities is the standout at index 96, keeping costs manageable. The weak spot? Housing at 112. 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 housing index sits at 112 — above average and worth factoring in.
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 105, rent $1,693/mo, income $66,804
2 of 2 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 112
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Cost Index | Median Rent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FresnoCA | 105 | $1,693 | Details |
| 2 | Colorado SpringsCO | 107 | $1,667 | Details |
545,716 residents · California
Why Fresno ranks #1: the numbers tell a clear story. And roughly speaking, at 105 on the cost index, residents save roughly 7% 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 Utilities category is particularly strong at 96, though Housing (112) 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 107 cost index sits 5 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, Utilities leads the way at 98, while Housing trails at 118.
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 105 and rent of $1,693/mo, while Colorado Springs (ranked #2) has a cost index of 107 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.