A Snapshot of Fresno, California
Surrounded by orchards, vineyards and sprawling ranches, Fresno lies in California’s fertile San Joaquin Valley, where the Sierra Nevada mountains rise in the east and the waves of the Pacific splash down in the west. Closer to the national parks than the tech hub or Hollywood, Fresno is one of California’s most approachable big cities, and each year the city gets a little bit bigger.
As the fifth-largest city in California, Fresno’s population has been on the rise while other major cities in the state have seen declines. Nearly 500,000 people call this northern Central Valley city home, and it’s easy to see what makes the city appealing.
First, the food. If it weren’t for Fresno, you’d be hard-pressed to find an almond, a pistachio or a raisin in the grocery store that wasn’t grown outside the U.S. But cattle, citrus and dairy are also part of Fresno’s bounty, so it’s possible to eat local, well-rounded meals all year round in Fresno.
The region’s agricultural dominance also means big bucks for California’s economy — grapes alone contributed $1.2 billion in 2022. But Fresno’s job market is diversified beyond the agricultural sector, so if you’re planning to move to Fresno for a new career, you’ll find options from healthcare to finance.
One of the biggest reasons to relocate to the Central Valley is its affordability. Housing costs in Fresno are a small fraction of what they are in coastal giants like San Francisco and Los Angeles. And, you’ll still have easy access to some of the best scenery in the U.S., from Yosemite National Park to Lake Tahoe. The city’s cultural attractions only add to this appeal.
If you’re looking for a California city that won’t break the proverbial bank, Fresno should be on your list. Learn more about the city below in our moving guide to Fresno, where we’ll address the climate, economy, attractions and neighborhoods in the city.
Get a quote today on moving to Fresno, California.
Hot Summer, Mild Winter
Fresno isn’t known as the raisin capital of the U.S. for nothing. The warm, clear skies over the city are ideal for sun-drying the Thompson’s seedless grapes that make your morning oatmeal a little more exciting. But the heat in Fresno can be intense — as unrelenting as any scene from The Grapes of Wrath — which was set right here in California’s San Joaquin Valley.
In the summer months, expect temperatures to crest the 100-degree mark on a regular basis. Also be prepared for at least four months of this summertime heat. The mercury starts to rise by the end of May, and things don’t reliably cool off until October.
Unlike the farm country of the Midwest and Southeast, Fresno is an arid place. Fewer than 11 inches of rainfall in Fresno each year, most of which arrives between December and April. This dry weather makes for many cheerful, sunny days, but it also contributes to hazardous conditions for residents.
First, the threat of wildfires increases every year, and dry conditions can spell disaster from a stray electrical spark or a tossed cigarette. Second, dry earth can quickly turn into dangerous dust storms on windy days, which not only hinder visibility but also put dangerous particulates into the air. Air quality in regions like the Central Valley is notoriously bad because the landscape actually traps particulates, ozone and exhaust. Sadly, Fresno’s air quality has earned the city an F from the American Lung Association. Something to be aware of if you suffer from respiratory conditions.
The benefit of Fresno’s climate is the mild temperatures during the 7-8 months of the year when it’s not summer. From spring through winter, Fresno is cool and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from the upper 40s°F to the low 70s°F.
Affordable Living in California
Compared to cities like San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco and Los Angeles, the cost of living in Fresno seems like a steal. While most common household expenses in the West are more expensive than the national average, real estate is the stand-out worst.
Housing prices in foggy San Francisco now average $1.3 million, but in sunny Fresno, you’ll pay an average of just $321,800. The median gross rent in the city is $1,227 — half the average of SFO. But the median home value in Fresno may still shock residents from other regions of the U.S., considering the national average is still under $300,000. It’s because income levels in Fresno are also significantly below average. San Franciscan households earn a whopping $136,689 per year, on average, but Fresno households bring home a mere $63,001 — that’s $12,000 below the U.S. average.
When contemplating your household budget, you’ll also want to factor in taxes. If you’re earnings are average, you can expect to pay only 4-6% in income taxes, but if you’re in the $1 million+ club, you’ll pay the state’s highest rate — 13.3%. The Tax Foundation ranks California near the bottom of its list for state tax competitiveness, thanks to its relatively high state personal income taxes, sales tax and corporate income taxes.
But its property tax rates are more reasonable than some “tax-friendly” states, like Texas. And, there can be tremendous value in higher taxes, from better schools to an improved social safety net for residents, something particularly helpful in a fragile agricultural region like the Central Valley. The most important thing is to be aware of how much you’ll need to budget for taxes, especially compared to what you currently allocate, as this may impact everything from your salary demands for your new job to the offer you make on a house.
We are not tax experts and are not offering tax advice, other than you should consider obtaining additional information and advice from your legal and/or financial advisers who are fully aware of your individual circumstances.
Diversified Economy
Fresno is often referred to as the agricultural capital of California, and though many of the jobs in the region are agriculturally based, there are diverse opportunities for employment around this vital region.
The biggest sector in Fresno’s nonfarm economy is education and health Services. More than 87,000 residents are employed in this industry, working at places like Fresno State, the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center and the Community Regional Medical Center. 78,000 Fresno jobs are in the government sector — no surprise since the Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing is based here, as is the Fresno VA Hospital. And an almost equal number of Fresno residents are employed in the trade, transportation and utilities sector, which supplies 77,000 jobs in the region. Beyond these three powerhouses, leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and manufacturing contribute more than 100,000 jobs combined.
Almost all industries in Fresno saw modest gains in employment between September of 2023 and 2024, resulting in a net increase of 2,220 jobs. The one notable exception is Information — Fresno’s smallest industry — which experienced a 7.1% decline. Since the industry only employs 2,600 people, though, the job losses were statistically insignificant.
Learn more about top employers in the Fresno region.
Notable Neighborhoods in Fresno
Circumscribed by three major thoroughfares, Downtown Fresno is a bustling commercial district bursting at the seams with fun and culture. Step into Fresno’s past at the Meux Home Museum, where you can experience the gothic Victorian splendor of this 1888 mansion. The Christmas Tea is always a delight here, but those who prefer stronger drinks will enjoy the Bourbon by Gaslight event. In Fresno’s Mural District, Arte Américas has been celebrating the region’s Latinx cultures since 1987, and in 2025, they will present a special retrospective of local legend John Sierra. Once a month, downtown hosts Why Not Wednesdays, a pop-up street fair for local artists and food vendors. In the wintertime, the Downtown Fresno Ice Rink keeps the city in the seasonal spirit, even if natural snow rarely falls here. And, with new apartment buildings, restaurants and bars, this area can be a fun place to live and work.
Just north of downtown, the Tower District is an artsy entertainment hub. The neighborhood earned its moniker from the 1939 Tower Theatre, which still hosts live performances and screens recent classic movies, like The Goonies and Pulp Fiction. At night, the glow of the Tower Theatre’s neon sign washes over the corner of Olive and Wishon like a beacon. Olive Avenue is restaurant central, and you’ll find taquerias, BBQ joints and a fun diner called the Peach Pit, whose burgers might just rival the fictional ones in 90210. Charming, single-family houses dominate the residential streets in this pedestrian-friendly district, which is filled with art deco wonders from yesteryear.
To the far north of the city, you’ll find popular suburbs in the Clovis School District. Woodward Park is a family-oriented area that centers around its namesake green space, which just happens to be the largest park in all of Fresno County. In its 300 acres, you’ll find miles of jogging and bike trails, including one for BMX, a dog park and several playgrounds. Woodward Lake — a part of the adjacent neighborhood of Fort Washington — is one of the most coveted areas to live in Fresno County, as it offers waterfront living with built-in recreational amenities. Northwest Fresno offers similarly spacious and well-appointed single families. Unlike the Tower District, most homes in this area are more recent builds, from the 1980s onward. Soaring ceilings and sprawling lots are the norm, and prices in these tony burbs are on the higher end of the Fresno spectrum. While downtown areas monopolize Fresno’s arts scene, the suburbs offer plenty of places to relax, from the Fort Washington Golf & Country Club to the Shinzen Friendship Garden.
Things to Do in Fresno
With the Sierra Nevadas to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, Fresno is within driving distance of some of the country’s greatest natural treasures. Not many cities are this close to so many national parks, from Yosemite to Sequoia and King’s Canyon to Death Valley and the California Coastal National Monument. Most people experience these wild places only once in their lives, but if you move to Fresno, you’ll be able to see them across many seasons, from the spring wildflower blooms in Death Valley to the snowy slopes of the Badger Pass Ski Area at Yosemite.
Learn more about the National Parks of the West Coast.
Closer to town, Fresno still offers plenty of outdoor fun. In the spring, you can bike the Blossom Trail, a loose network of orchards which erupt into bloom in the springtime before the trees set their fruits. Or take a kayaking tour down the San Joaquin River to see the city from the water’s edge. Just 30 minutes away, Millerton Lake is an easy getaway for boating and bald eagle-watching. The most unusual outdoor spot in the city, though, is Forestiere Underground Gardens — a subterranean wonderland of planted courtyards and passageways, excavated by a Sicilian citrus farmer at the turn of the last century.
If you want to spend the day in town with the kids, there are plenty of family-friendly spots to visit. At the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, you and the kiddos can feed stingrays, go on a kangaroo walkabout or meet your favorite critters in a behind-the-scenes tour — the Galapagos tortoise and the adorable sloth bear are among our favorites. Every year since 1884, the Big Fresno Fair has drawn visitors from miles around to consume copious amounts of fried foods and swirl them around on death-defying carnival rides. Some things just never go out of style. The Fresno Discovery Center provides fun, hands-on learning experiences — just don’t take that phrase too literally in the Deutsch Cactus Garden.
The Fresno Art Museum has a fine permanent collection, with exceptional works from the 20th and 21st centuries, and an admirable amount of Mexican folk art and ancient American works. Other popular downtown destinations include the Veterans Memorial Museum and Auditorium and the African American Historical & Cultural Museum of The San Joaquin Valley. Learn more about popular destinations in the neighborhood section above.
On Saturdays, treat your family to a trip to the Vineyard Farmer’s Market. After all, when you reside in one of the richest agricultural areas on the planet, there’s no excuse not to eat farm to table. You can get everything you need for an omnivorous meal, from Sanger grass-fed beef and certified organic mushrooms to local honey, duck eggs and goat cheese.
If Fresno sounds like a place you’d like to live, get a moving quote now from United Van Lines.
Move to Fresno with America’s #1 Mover®
At United Van Lines, we know there are many factors to consider before you move to Fresno, including the cost of a long-distance move. Let us help you understand the different types of moving quotes you may receive and find the right professional moving company to make moving easier.
As America’s #1 Mover®, millions of families like yours have counted on United Van Lines. Whether you’re moving cross-country or locally, you can be confident that your move will be managed by a team of professionals who will handle your belongings with care.
United Van Lines can provide your family with customized moving options and full-service moving packages that include packing, unpacking, car shipping, storage, debris removal and other moving services. Our long-distance movers can help you relocate to Fresno from any city in the U.S. Not sure where to begin? We get it. Use our step-by-step guide to moving long-distance to help prepare for your move to Fresno.
Moving locally? United Van Lines’ interstate Fresno agents/movers can provide local moving services in Fresno independently under their own businesses and brands.
If you want to handle the move on your own, use United Van Lines’ packing tips to make sure your belongings are protected.
During your move, it can be hard to keep track of all the details. Use our moving checklist to keep track of that ever-growing punch list.
Need ideas for how to prepare your kids for the move? Not sure how to pack your grandmother’s crystal? United Van Lines moving blog and our exclusive House Key magazine have all the best tips on packing and settling in.
If you’re still considering moving to another city, check out our city guides and state guides to find one that meets your needs.
And why not start thinking about your next adventure while you pack? Check out our guides to the national parks to plan an outdoor adventure after your move.
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