Cost of Living: Fresno, CA vs Palm Bay, FL (2026)

Fresno

California
101
VS

Palm Bay

Florida
91

Fresno is 11% more expensive than Palm Bay.

$1,324/mo ↓ 11%
Median Rent
$1,487/mo ↑ 12%
$66,804/yr ↓ 1%
Median Income
$67,521/yr ↑ 1%
$348,500 ↑ 41%
Home Value
$248,000 ↓ 29%
$1,391/mo ↑ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,203/mo ↓ 14%
543,615
Population
125,273

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

23.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fresno, CA and Palm Bay, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 101 and 91 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $163/month cheaper in Fresno, saving renters about $1,956/year.

Median household income is $717/year higher in Palm Bay. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fresno is $348,500 compared to $248,000 in Palm Bay.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Palm Bay residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresno vs Palm Bay — common questions

Is Fresno or Palm Bay cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Palm Bay is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 101 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fresno and Palm Bay?
Median rent in Fresno is $1,324/month and in Palm Bay it's $1,487/month — a difference of $163/month.
Which city has higher income, Fresno or Palm Bay?
Median household income is $66,804 in Fresno and $67,521 in Palm Bay. Median household income is $717/year higher in Palm Bay.
How do taxes compare between California and Florida?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Fresno or Palm Bay?
It depends on your priorities. Fresno has a cost index of 101 with median rent of $1,324/mo, while Palm Bay has a cost index of 91 with rent of $1,487/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fresno details → View Palm Bay details →

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