City Comparison · 2026
Fresno vs Los Angeles
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Fresno = $150k in Los Angeles
Metric
Fresno
Los Angeles
COL Index
✓1.17
1.76
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,250/mo
$2,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,580/mo
$3,200/mo
State Income Tax
CA
CA
$100k Take-Home
$73,198
$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
26.8%
26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$58,198
$43,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Fresno CA | Los Angeles CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fresno or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Fresno has a cost-of-living index of 1.17 while Los Angeles is 1.76 (1.00 = US average). Fresno is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Fresno is $1,250/month vs $2,450/month in Los Angeles.
How much more do you need to earn in Los Angeles vs Fresno?
$100k in Fresno = $150k in Los Angeles. Cost of living in Los Angeles is higher by 50.4%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Fresno or Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,198 in CA (Fresno) and $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $58,198 in Fresno vs $43,798 in Los Angeles.
More City Comparisons
California Salary GuideTexas Salary GuideFresno vs New York City cost of livingFresno vs Los Angeles cost of livingFresno vs Chicago cost of livingCost of living in FresnoCost of living in New York CityCost of living in Los AngelesSoftware Engineer salary in FresnoRegistered Nurse salary in FresnoWhere does $100k rank nationally?