The Good Side It Is Affordable To Live Here Surprise! Fresno, California, has one of the country’s most reasonable living costs. Fresno is the 18th most affordable city in the United States out of 75 other cities. The city stands out in California’s cost of living, as the state’s rate is more than double the national average. Its cost of living is only 2.6% higher than the national average and 47.3% lower than California’s. Prices for groceries, medical care, housing, rent, and transportation are much below the national average. Even the city’s healthcare cost is 9.4 % less than the national average, and only the cost of utilities is greater than the state average. Therefore, living in Fresno is perfect if you prefer having a more spare income, which often contributes to an overall higher quality of life. The City Offers Affordable Housing If you want to live in California and are searching for a city with affordable housing, Fresno is an excellent choice! The low cost of housing in Fresno is perhaps the most critical factor influencing migration to the area. The city is the cheapest large city for housing in California. Comparing the cost of purchasing a property in Fresno to that of other California cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Francisco reveals that the price of homes in other towns is approximately double that of Fresno. Fresno’s average home price is $326,544, much less than the state average of $700,828. However, the price of a home in Fresno is still almost $30,000 more than the national average. Fresno’s rental housing is also less expensive than other California cities. For instance, you can discover rentals for thousands less than you would pay in Silicon Valley, a significant advantage of living in Fresno County. South Growth Area, McLane, West, Hoover, and Woodward Park are the cheapest places to reside, but beware: you typically get what you pay. You can be trading location or safety in exchange for more space and a lower cost of living. The Bad Side It Has a Combined Sales Tax The city of Fresno has a higher combined sales tax rate than the state of California. If you live here, the combined sales tax rate that you are required to pay is 7.97 %, comprising of a rate of 6% for the state of California, a rate of 0.25% for Fresno county, and a special assessment rate of 1.73 %. Remember that all of the additional tax requirements specific to the state of California also apply here.