Fresno vs Sienna: which is better to live in?
Fresno gets D overall and Sienna gets A. Sienna comes out ahead on our index.
Fresno wins on errands and things to do. Sienna wins on cost of living, jobs and income, schools, getting around, education levels, health, home ownership and internet access.
Sienna is the better pick for families, young professionals, retirees, remote workers and people on a budget.
Side by side
| Fresno | Sienna | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall grade | D | A |
| Population | 24,560 | 24,992 |
| Growth since 2020 | n/a | n/a |
| Median rent | $2,028 | $2,837 |
| Median home value | $243,500 | $470,100 |
| Monthly cost to buy | $1,651 | $3,407 |
| Median household income | $91,264 | $177,837 |
| Property tax per year | $3,815 | $10,000+ |
| Violent crime per 100k | Not available | Not available |
| Property crime per 100k | Not available | Not available |
| Schools rated A or B | 33% | 100% |
| Average commute | 34 min | 36 min |
| Work from home | 10% | 22% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23% | 66% |
| Median age | 37.0 years | 35.9 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 | Sienna | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | C+ (52) | B (70) |
| Jobs and income | B- (63) | A (94) |
| Schools | D (22) | A- (82) |
| Safety | n/a | n/a |
| Errands and things to do | D (18) | D- (9) |
| Getting around | F (1) | F (2) |
| Education levels | D (21) | A (91) |
| Health | D- (15) | A- (80) |
| Home ownership | B- (61) | A (95) |
| Internet access | A- (80) | A+ (99) |
Cost of living
Fresno is the cheaper of the two.
Rent is lower in Fresno: a median of $2,028 a month, 29% lower than Sienna's $2,837.
The median home is worth $243,500 in Fresno and $470,100 in Sienna. With 20% down at today's rates, that is about $1,651 a month against $3,407, property tax included.
Compared with what locals earn, homes cost 2.7 times income in Fresno and 2.6 times in Sienna.
Commute and location
Commutes average 34 minutes in Fresno and 36 in Sienna.
The two are about 4 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 100% of Sienna's 6.
Common questions
Is Fresno or Sienna better to live in?
Sienna grades higher overall (D vs A). The better choice depends on what you need, so compare the categories above.
Is Fresno cheaper than Sienna?
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.