Fresno vs Missouri City: which is better to live in?
Fresno gets D overall and Missouri City gets B. Missouri City comes out ahead on our index, though keep in mind each is graded against Texas places of its own size.
Fresno wins on cost of living. Missouri City wins on jobs and income, schools, errands and things to do, getting around, education levels, health, home ownership and internet access.
Fresno suits people on a budget better, while Missouri City suits families, young professionals and retirees better.
Side by side
| Fresno | Missouri City | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | D | B |
| Population | 24,560 | 77,327 |
| Growth since 2020 | n/a | +4.2% |
| Median rent | $2,028 | $1,931 |
| Median home value | $243,500 | $311,400 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $1,651 | $2,184 |
| Median household income | $91,264 | $94,390 |
| Property tax per year | $3,815 | $5,754 |
| Violent crime per 100k | Not available | 151 |
| Property crime per 100k | Not available | 978 |
| Schools rated A or B | 33% | 47% |
| Average commute | 34 min | 30 min |
| Work from home | 10% | 14% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23% | 42% |
| Median age | 37.0 years | 40.5 years |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 122 | 122 |
| River flooding risk (FEMA) | Moderate | High |
Bold marks the better value where one is clearly better.
Grades by category
| Fresno | Missouri City | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | C+ (52) | C- (34) |
| Jobs and income | B- (63) | B+ (74) |
| Schools | D (22) | D+ (29) |
| Safety | n/a | B+ (73) |
| Errands and things to do | D (18) | B (69) |
| Getting around | F (1) | F (6) |
| Education levels | D (21) | B- (64) |
| Health | D- (15) | B- (57) |
| Home ownership | B- (61) | A (90) |
| Internet access | A- (80) | A- (87) |
Cost of living
Fresno is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is higher in Fresno: a median of $2,028 a month, 5% higher than Missouri City's $1,931.
The median home is worth $243,500 in Fresno and $311,400 in Missouri City. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $1,651 a month against $2,184, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 2.7 times income in Fresno and 3.3 times in Missouri City.
Commute and location
Commutes average 34 minutes in Fresno and 30 in Missouri City.
The two are about 3 miles apart, so many people weigh them for the same job.
Safety and schools
We don't have a full year of police data for both cities, so we can't compare crime fairly.
For schools, 33% of Fresno's 3 rated campuses earn an A or B, against 47% of Missouri City's 17.
Common questions
Is Fresno or Missouri City better to live in?
Missouri City grades higher overall (D vs B). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Fresno cheaper than Missouri City?
Yes. Fresno has lower typical rent and home prices.
Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Texas Education Agency 2025, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA. Updated 2026-10-04.