With more than half of SF and LA renters considered rent burdened, that is, spending more than 30% of their income on rent, it can be hard to resist the greener grass in more affordable cities. Fresno, California may not be the glamorous West Coast escape known ’round the world, but it actually has some of the cheapest rent in the state and is only a few hours from Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Park. Would you consider moving there?
Rent in Fresno
Numerous 2025 studies have named Fresno’s rental prices some of the best in California, with the average rental price for a one-bedroom apartment coming to about $1,200 per month, according to ReAlpha. This is about 20% below the national average and just a fraction of SF’s one-bedroom average of $3,000 per month.
Another affordable city for renters is Bakersfield, whose average one-bedroom rental price comes to $1,150 per month (with the bonus of beautiful views during almond blossom season!). Other frequently cited affordable cities include Stockton, Turlock, Lodi, Merced, and Chico.
Proximity to Yosemite and other national parks
Of course, there’s only one major city located within spitting distance of Yosemite, and that’s Fresno. Depending on traffic conditions, you can make the drive from Fresno to Yosemite’s South Entrance in about 1.5 hours—from there, it’s about another hour of driving within the park to reach the Yosemite Valley. It’s all well worth the drive to see Yosemite’s magnificent waterfalls, which are incidentally surging right now with recent snow runoff.
Fresno is also located just an hour from Kings Canyon National Park. Albeit less famous than Yosemite, Kings Canyon is home to the deepest canyon in the United States, made even more dramatic with towering granite mountains, waterfalls, and sequoia groves.
Not to be outdone, Sequoia National Park can be reached in about 1.5 hours by car from Fresno. Here you’ll find the General Sherman Tree, which is the largest tree on earth by volume. And finally, Pinnacles National Park is about a 2.5-hour drive away, known for its unique rock formations and talus caves.
If you think you could stomach sacrificing coastal living in favor of cheaper rent (tall order, we know), Fresno’s location makes it a convenient option for outdoor enthusiasts who love a weekend trip. But no matter where you live, we’ll leave you with an invitation to visit some of the country’s most celebrated national parks, which we’re lucky to enjoy all over California.