Where’s the best place to live in the Fresno area? This ‘charming city’ ranked No. 1

From crime rates to the quality of public schools, a lot of factors go into picking the right place to live.

Niche recently ranked the Best Places to Live in the Fresno Area in 2024 based on housing, job opportunities and more, awarding each spot a letter grade ranging from A+ to D-.

Clovis was No. 1 on the list of 31 places in the Fresno area, the ratings and review website said.

Sunnyside, a suburb of Fresno, was the second-best place to live in the area, and Kingsburg came in third place.

Niche ranked the places on its list of the Best Places to Live in the Fresno Area by letter grade from A to D.

Why is Clovis the best place to live in Fresno area?

Clovis, which is a 14-minute drive from downtown Fresno, received an overall grade of A- from Niche.

The city, which has a population of 120,607 people, has a “sparse suburban feel” with highly-rated public schools and plenty of parks, Clovis said.

Another Niche reviewer called Clovis a “charming city” with a “wonderful blend of small-town charm and modern amenities,” and described living there as a “truly delightful experience.”

“From its excellent public schools to its safe neighborhoods and beautiful trails, Clovis has proven to be an ideal place to live for families, professionals and retirees alike,” the reviewer, a Clovis resident wrote.

Clovis earned an A for public schools and an A+ for weather, as well as an A- for being “good for families.”

The Fresno County city also garnered grades of A or A- for diversity, outdoor activities and health and fitness.

When it comes to crime and safety, Clovis scored a B-.

It also earned B- grades for jobs and nightlife.

However, Clovis received a C- in the cost of living category due to its high cost of housing.

The median home value in Clovis is $420,700 — compared to $281,900 nationally, and the median rent was $1,482 a month.

Clovis previously made other Niche lists, ranking No. 75 on the site’s list of Most Diverse Suburbs in California and No. 147 of its list of the Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in California.

Which other cities, towns made the list?

These are the top 10 best places to live in the Fresno area, according to Niche:

1. Clovis
2. Sunnyside
3. Kingsburg
4. Tarpey Village
5. Fresno
6. Fowler
7. Sanger
8. Reedley
9. West Park
10. Kerman

How did Niche come up with its ranking’s?

To come up with its list of the best places to live in the Fresno area, Niche looked at a variety of factors, including:

• Cost of living
• Higher education rate
• Housing
• Public schools
• Diversity
• Crime and safety
• Jobs

Niche also explored quality of life in each town and city, considering factors such as outdoor activities, walkability, weather and health and fitness.

After assigning weighted grades for each category, Niche calculated an overall score for each place, created a numerical ranking and assigned grades.

The website primarily used data from the U.S. Census Bureau.