Bronx, NY and Fresno, CA both offer unique lifestyles, opportunities, and attractions. While the Bronx, one of New York City's five boroughs, features vibrant urban life, cultural diversity, and proximity to the city's key hotspots, Fresno, situated in California's sprawling Central Valley, attracts with its mild weather, agricultural richness, and lower cost of living. Comparing a bustling metropolitan area to a laid-back city gives prospective residents and visitors a wide range of factors to consider, from costs and crime rates to cultural offerings and educational prospects.
According to recent data, Fresno's overall crime rate is slightly higher than the national average but lower than many major US cities. However, it's important to note that the crime rate varies between neighborhoods. The Bronx, as part of NYC, struggles with crime-related issues in some areas. The overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, but like Fresno, the crime levels vary markedly from one neighborhood to another. Both cities have taken measures to address these issues.
Cost of Living
The cost of living varies dramatically between these two locations. The Bronx, like much of NYC, is significantly more expensive than Fresno in terms of housing, groceries, and healthcare. Fresno's cost of living is lower than California's state average and far lower than the Bronx, which might make it more appealing for those on a budget.
Income Tax
New York imposes an income tax that ranges from 4% to 8.82% depending on income. California's income tax ranges from 1% to 13.3%, which might be an important consideration for those considering a move to either location.
Property Tax
Property taxes in New York and California vary widely by county. In the Bronx, the average property tax rate is 0.9%, while in Fresno, the rate is lower at approximately 0.7%.
Sales Tax
The combined sales tax rate for the Bronx is currently 8.88%, while in Fresno it is notably lower at 7.98%. This difference could influence consumer behavior and have a relative impact on residents' cost of living.
Income
Type
Bronx
Fresno
Estimated median household income
$43,011
$61,250
Estimated per capita income
$23,354
$28,499
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
172.8
96.3
If you make $50,000 in Fresno, you will have to make $89,720 in Bronx to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
The Bronx, flanked by the East River and the Hudson, offers river views and city landscapes. Fresno's geography is influenced by its position in the Central Valley, surrounded by agricultural expanses and close to several national parks, including Yosemite.
Geographical information
Type
Bronx
Fresno
Land area
42 sq. miles
104.4 sq. miles
Population density
32,928 people per sq. mile
5,217.4 people per sq. mile
Elevation
120 feet
296 feet
Relative area comparison
Bronx, NY Fresno, CA
Education
The education systems in both locations offer quality education, yet the student-to-teacher ratio in the Bronx's public schools is higher than the national average, presenting potential challenges. Fresno, on the other hand, offers public schools with average to excellent ratings but also struggles with high student-to-teacher ratios in some districts.
The Bronx's economy is diversified and deeply integrated into the wider NYC economy. Health care, professional services, retail trade, and education sectors are key employers, while Fresno's economy is largely based on agriculture, health care, manufacturing, and retail. Both cities have experienced job growth, though at differing rates.
Biggest Employers
In the Bronx, Montefiore Medical Center and Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center are key employers, while Fresno's largest employers are Community Medical Centers, Saint Agnes Medical Center, and Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission.
In Bronx (Bronx County), 91.9% voted for Democrats and 8.1% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Fresno (Fresno County), 49.8% voted for Democrats and 48.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Bronx
Fresno
Bronx
Fresno
Bronx
Fresno
2020
83.7%
53.0%
16.0%
45.2%
0.3%
1.8%
2016
88.6%
49.2%
9.5%
43.2%
2.0%
7.5%
2012
91.9%
49.8%
8.1%
48.0%
0.0%
2.2%
2008
89.0%
50.2%
11.0%
48.1%
0.0%
1.8%
2004
82.9%
42.0%
16.5%
57.8%
0.6%
0.3%
2000
86.5%
43.2%
11.8%
53.3%
1.7%
3.5%
1996
85.8%
45.3%
10.5%
47.4%
3.7%
7.3%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Bronx
Fresno
Bronx
Fresno
CATHOLIC CHURCH
25.5%
31.0%
11.5%
6.1%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.8%
0.3%
3.9%
0.6%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.7%
0.6%
4.4%
2.4%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.7%
0.7%
6.5%
2.6%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.0%
3.7%
0.1%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.2%
0.5%
2.6%
2.0%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
1.6%
2.4%
8.1%
Weather
Weather is a clear point of differentiation. The Bronx has four distinct seasons, with cold, often snowy winters, and warm, sometimes humid summers. Fresno has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. If you like a year-round mild climate and lots of sunshine, Fresno could be more attractive.
Weather and climate
Type
Bronx
Fresno
Temperature - Average
54.7°F
63°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
67.2%
60.9%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
26.4%
67%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
75.6%
88%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49.2%
21%
Precipitation - Yearly average
47 in
11.6 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
54.5 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
16.5%
32.4%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.2%
82.8%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
52%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
96%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
44%
Wind speed - Average
10.7 mph
6.5 mph
Average climate in Bronx, New York
Average climate in Fresno, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Bronx
Fresno
Bronx
Fresno
Bronx
Fresno
Bronx
Fresno
Bronx
Fresno
Bronx
Fresno
Bronx
Fresno
Bronx
Fresno
2018
102
128
0.31
0.35
15.8
9.7
24.4
31.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
39.7
7.4
14.8
0.6
0.6
2017
100
132
0.04
0.35
15.7
9.2
24.6
33.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
38.3
7.0
14.3
0.6
0.6
2016
98
128
0.30
0.35
16.4
8.4
24.6
31.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
34.7
7.2
13.5
0.8
0.5
2015
105
134
0.28
0.32
18.0
8.7
23.6
31.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
34.2
8.6
13.9
1.4
0.5
2014
99
139
0.32
0.33
18.0
10.1
23.6
32.4
N/A
0.004
N/A
39.3
8.4
16.4
1.7
0.5
2013
103
136
0.39
0.37
18.9
11.1
23.5
31.0
N/A
0.005
N/A
43.3
9.3
19.1
2.1
0.6
2012
104
140
0.44
0.36
18.8
9.7
23.9
31.9
N/A
0.004
N/A
36.1
9.7
14.2
3.1
0.6
2011
113
139
0.46
0.34
20.9
8.7
22.1
33.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
30.2
11.6
21.1
4.5
0.8
2010
113
121
0.53
0.27
20.2
6.9
23.7
31.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.8
N/A
4.7
0.7
2009
107
107
0.53
0.31
22.3
7.3
19.5
29.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.8
N/A
5.4
1.6
2008
114
130
0.53
0.33
23.3
9.3
19.9
31.1
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.1
22.2
5.9
1.0
2007
122
146
0.60
0.34
24.6
10.0
19.1
28.4
0.016
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.2
26.0
7.0
0.7
2006
120
104
0.50
0.36
25.0
11.3
18.9
29.7
0.018
0.006
N/A
N/A
12.8
N/A
7.0
N/A
2005
115
101
0.60
0.33
27.0
10.7
17.8
28.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.3
N/A
2004
109
103
0.62
0.34
25.6
11.5
16.7
30.8
0.030
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.8
N/A
2003
110
115
0.75
0.44
27.4
15.0
17.1
31.2
0.022
N/A
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.9
1.2
2002
124
139
0.67
0.43
27.9
15.2
17.4
44.8
0.008
N/A
25.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.6
N/A
2001
126
143
0.66
0.42
30.0
15.1
17.8
47.3
0.020
N/A
22.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.0
N/A
2000
115
136
0.68
0.51
29.4
15.4
16.0
41.0
0.022
N/A
22.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.2
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Bronx
Fresno
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
58.3%
9.9%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
31%
8,613%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
14%
12%
Transportation
Due to the Bronx's integration with NYC, it has access to extensive public transportation including subways, buses, and commuter rails, making car-free living feasible. Fresno, on the other hand, tends to be car-dependent with less comprehensive public transit options.
Transport
Type
Bronx
Fresno
Amtrak stations
0
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
2
FAA registered aircraft
39
408
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
36
Means of transportation to work
Type
Bronx
Fresno
Bicycle
0.2%
0.8%
Bus
15.6%
1.3%
Carpooled
9.3%
10.7%
Car alone
27%
84.4%
Motorcycle
0%
0.2%
Railroad
2%
0%
Streetcar
0.2%
0%
Subway
34.6%
0.1%
Taxicab
1.3%
0.1%
Walked
7.2%
1.4%
Average travel time to work
Type
Bronx
Fresno
Average
44.2 min
23.7 min
Real Estate
Despite the higher cost of living, the real estate market in the Bronx is booming, with a wide range of options from apartments to family homes. Fresno's real estate market is more affordable, with median home prices significantly lower than the Bronx.
Neighborhoods
The Bronx offers diverse neighborhoods, from Riverdale's upscale apartments to Belmont's Little Italy. Fresno has various neighborhoods suitable for families or young professionals like Woodward Park and Huntington. Each neighborhood offers a unique lifestyle with different amenities catering to diverse needs.
Houses and residents
Type
Bronx
Fresno
Houses
490,659
188,756
Average household size (people)
2.8
3.1
Houses occupied
463,212 (94.4%)
181,841 (96.3%)
Houses occupied by owners
90,522 (19.5%)
91,233 (50.2%)
Houses occupied by renters
372,690 (80.5%)
90,608 (49.8%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,273
$958.34
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$708,992
$285,919
Estimated median house or condo value
$465,000
$321,300
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.1
5.9
Renting percentage
80.7%
50.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
11,675
1,808.6
Household income disparities
50.2%
46.4%
Housing units without a mortgage
12,021 (34%)
1,037 (1.7%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
105 (0.3%)
2,880 (4.8%)
Housing units with a mortgage
23,339 (66%)
59,354 (98.3%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
2,053 (5.8%)
68 (0.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
2,159 (6.1%)
4,120 (6.8%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.4%
1.5%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
16,572
14,428
State government workers
14,515
9,836
Unpaid family workers
1,000
890
Industries and Occupations
In the Bronx, healthcare and social assistance are the most common sectors for employment, followed by retail trade. Fresno, frequently termed as the food capital of the world, finds most of its populace employed in agriculture, followed by healthcare services, and retail trade.
Both cities are served by numerous hospitals and healthcare facilities. The Bronx has renowned institutions like Montefiore Medical Center, while Fresno has Community Medical Centers. The quality and availability of healthcare in both cities cater to the diverse needs of their populations.
The Bronx has sprawling urban infrastructure - from medical facilities to educational institutions. Fresno's infrastructure, while not as large-scale, still supports the city's residents with services and facilities like medical centers, schools, and community centers.
Infrastructure
Type
Bronx
Fresno
Hospitals
57
32
TV stations
30
4
Bank branches located here
118
98
Bank institutions located here
24
25
Main business address for public companies
2
1
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
1
5
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
4
43
Schools
School facilities
Type
Bronx
Fresno
Private elementary/middle schools
54
8
Private high schools
20
9
Public elementary/middle schools
285
131
Public high schools
155
44
Colleges/Universities
9
14
Culture and Food
The Bronx boasts a rich cultural scene with an inclusive food culture reflecting its diversity. From Bronx's New York Botanical Garden to the famous Bronx Zoo, there's plenty to explore. Fresno, marked by its agricultural heritage, has a burgeoning food and wine scene with farm-to-table dining and various cultural festivals like the Fresno Greek Fest.
Sports Teams
In the Bronx, sports fans revel in the home of the Yankees, one of the most iconic baseball franchises. In Fresno, the Grizzlies, a minor league baseball team, and the Fresno FC, a former soccer team, have left indelible footprints.
Bronx, NY
Fresno, CA
Bronx, NY and 
Fresno, CA : 2,459.6 miles
