Cost of Living Comparison Between Bronx, NY and Fresno, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Bronx, NY and Fresno, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $4,037 in Bronx, NY versus $2,998 in Fresno, CA.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,314 in Bronx, NY versus $4,232 in Fresno, CA.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,591 in Bronx, NY versus $5,465 in Fresno, CA.

Living in Bronx, NY is roughly 35% more expensive than in Fresno, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Bronx, NY 202% above, Fresno, CA 124% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bronx, NY
Fresno, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.76 $18.76
$19.97 $19.97
-6.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.3 $59.3
$69.4 $69.4
-14.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.08 $12.08
$11.59 $11.59
4.23%
Cappuccino
$1.95 $1.95
$5.16 $5.16
-62.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23 $2.23
$2.71 $2.71
-17.71%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.01 $1.01
$2.07 $2.07
-51.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.11 $6.11
$7.85 $7.85
-22.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.99 $3.99
$8.88 $8.88
-55.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bronx, NY
Fresno, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.22 $1.22
$0.94 $0.94
29.79%
White Bread (500g)
$4.03 $4.03
$2.78 $2.78
44.96%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.17 $4.17
$4.71 $4.71
-11.46%
Eggs
$4.04 $4.04
$4.63 $4.63
-12.74%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.24 $12.24
$10.33 $10.33
18.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.22 $14.22
$8.26 $8.26
72.15%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.34 $15.34
$16.68 $16.68
-8.03%
Apples (1kg)
$2.51 $2.51
$4.33 $4.33
-42.03%
Banana (1kg)
$1.41 $1.41
$2.08 $2.08
-32.21%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.20 $4.20
$3.67 $3.67
14.44%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.77 $4.77
$3.41 $3.41
39.88%
Potato (1kg)
$2.80 $2.80
$2.90 $2.90
-3.45%
Onion (1kg)
$2.91 $2.91
$2.05 $2.05
41.95%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.09 $2.09
$2.00 $2.00
4.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$3.35 $3.35
-36.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.40 $13.40
$10.96 $10.96
22.26%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.07 $18.07
$18.05 $18.05
0.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 $1.76
$1.77 $1.77
-0.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40 $3.40
$5.64 $5.64
-39.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Bronx, NY
Fresno, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.91 $2.91
$1.23 $1.23
136.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$134 $134
$44.43 $44.43
202.03%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.47 $2.47
$3.36 $3.36
-26.49%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.61 $1.61
$2.00 $2.00
-19.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.10 $29.10
$24.58 $24.58
18.39%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.93 $0.93
$1.28 $1.28
-27.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K $29.9K
$36.7K $36.7K
-18.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K $25.8K
$29.7K $29.7K
-13.29%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bronx, NY
Fresno, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$285 $285
$300 $300
-5.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$44.87 $44.87
$50.4 $50.4
-10.88%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$52.0 $52.0
$82.8 $82.8
-37.18%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bronx, NY
Fresno, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$94.7 $94.7
$72.4 $72.4
30.78%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$45.22 $45.22
$75.3 $75.3
-39.95%
Cinema Ticket
$13.73 $13.73
$14.29 $14.29
-3.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bronx, NY
Fresno, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,276 $1,276
$975 $975
30.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.2K $23.2K
$13.0K $13.0K
77.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bronx, NY
Fresno, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.6 $51.6
$56.8 $56.8
-9.21%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.75 $39.75
$46.57 $46.57
-14.64%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.8 $87.8
$72.9 $72.9
20.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123 $123
$166 $166
-26.23%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bronx, NY
Fresno, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,447 $2,447
$1,567 $1,567
56.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,509 $2,509
$1,495 $1,495
67.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,135 $4,135
$2,399 $2,399
72.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,614 $3,614
$2,270 $2,270
59.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,080 $7,080
$2,668 $2,668
165.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,665 $5,665
$3,076 $3,076
84.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bronx, NY
Fresno, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,786 $4,786
$3,743 $3,743
27.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.51
-0.92%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Bronx, NY: July 14, 2026

Last update for Fresno, CA: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,447 in Bronx, NY and $1,567 in Fresno, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Bronx, NY pays 28% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $59.0 in Bronx, NY vs $69.0 in Fresno, CA. Groceries flip the comparison at $401 vs $380, with Fresno, CA cheaper for home cooking.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Bronx, NY vs Fresno, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bronx, NY or Fresno, CA?
Fresno, CA wins on cost – living expenses run 35% lower than in Bronx, NY. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Fresno, CA the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Bronx, NY or in Fresno, CA?
Average pay runs 28% higher in Bronx, NY, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Bronx, NY compared to Fresno, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,447 in Bronx, NY versus $1,567 in Fresno, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Bronx, NY compared to Fresno, CA?
A monthly transit pass in Fresno, CA runs roughly 202% less than in Bronx, NY. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Bronx, NY and in Fresno, CA?
Childcare runs $1,276 in Bronx, NY versus $975 in Fresno, CA. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Bronx, NY or in Fresno, CA?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Fresno, CA is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Bronx, NY or Fresno, CA?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Fresno, CA gentler on the wallet – expenses run 35% less than in Bronx, NY. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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