CostIndexUSA

Fresno, CA vs Kalamazoo, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fresno
102.2
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableMI
Kalamazoo
94.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Kalamazoo is moderately cheaper than Fresno — 7.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fresno, you would need $74,200 in Kalamazoo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing14.7%
Fresno
95.7
Kalamazoo
81.6
🛒 Groceries10.9%
Fresno
105.2
Kalamazoo
93.7
🚗 Transportation0.8%
Fresno
105.3
Kalamazoo
104.5
🏥 Healthcare0.7%
Fresno
95.3
Kalamazoo
94.6
Utilities38.3%
Fresno
161
Kalamazoo
99.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fresno to see what you'd need to earn in Kalamazoo to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Kalamazoo, MI
$74,200
$5,800 less needed in Kalamazoo

Formula: salary × (94.8 ÷ 102.2) = salary × 0.9276. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fresno, CA

Median Home Price
$401,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
95.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
81.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Fresno has 14.7% lower housing costs compared to Kalamazoo.

Income & Job Market

Fresno, CA

Median Household Income
$71,100
Per Capita Income
$40,500
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
Population
542,107
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
72,305
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingPharmaceuticalsFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fresno, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Kalamazoo, MI
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.