Fresno is the fifth-most populous city in California and is located in the central San Joaquin Valley of the state. It serves as the county seat of Fresno County and is at the geographical center of California. Fresno offers residents an affordable cost of living compared to other major cities in California like Los Angeles or San Francisco. However, it still provides amenities like arts and culture, sports, outdoor recreation, and more that people look for in choosing a place to live. When considering the closest places to live near Fresno, there are several factors to take into account such as commute times, home prices, school quality, amenities, and safety. This article explores some of the top places near Fresno proper that offer proximity and a high quality of life.
Clovis
One of the most popular and closest suburbs to Fresno is the city of Clovis. Clovis is located just northeast of Fresno, situated right along the northeastern edge of the metro area. It is only about 6 miles from northeast Fresno. This makes for an easy and short commute into the city center for work or entertainment. The drive time can be as little as 10-15 minutes from many parts of Clovis without traffic.
Clovis provides a classic suburban feel with quiet neighborhoods, parks, trails, and quality schools. The Clovis Unified School District is highly ranked and a major draw for families. Clovis has a population around 120,000, making it the second largest suburb in the Fresno region after northeast Fresno. It features a charming historic old town area with antique shops, restaurants, and cafes. There are also plenty of chain restaurants, shops, grocery stores, and other conveniences around the city.
Home prices in Clovis tend to be moderately higher than Fresno proper, though still affordable compared to California averages. The median list price for homes is around $385,000 as of October 2022. This buys modern single family homes with 3-4 bedrooms and nice yards. Clovis is generally considered one of the most desirable suburbs in the entire Central Valley region thanks to its location, amenities, schools, and reputation.
Fresno Northeast
Northeast Fresno refers to the large suburban region directly north and east of downtown Fresno. Major neighborhoods in this area include Sunnyside, Sierra Sky Park, Ridgemark, and The Village. Because it is still within Fresno city limits, northeast Fresno offers a short commute of only about 10-15 minutes into downtown Fresno even with traffic. Parts of northeast Fresno like Woodward Park are less than 5 miles from Fresno city center.
Northeast Fresno offers well-regarded schools like Bullard High School and access to large parks and outdoor recreation at places like Woodward Park and the San Joaquin River Parkway. It has plenty of shopping centers dotted throughout and chain restaurants. Home prices are moderately higher than southwest Fresno, with median list prices around $350,000. This provides newer open floor plan homes in gated communities or quiet tract developments. Northeast Fresno populations trends wealthier and some areas feel like mini suburbs within the city limits.
Fowler
The small agricultural town of Fowler sits just 7 miles southeast of Fresno city center. It is right along the way to popular attractions like Save Mart Center, Fresno Chaffee Zoo, and River Park. Fowler itself is quaint with no major shopping or dining attractions. However, its location so close to Fresno makes it easily accessible to Fresno’s amenities within a 15 minute drive.
Fowler home prices are very affordable, with median list prices around $260,000 as of late 2022. This buys nice sized properties on large lots, much more space than similarly priced homes in Fresno proper. Fowler also has relaxing rural charm and a tight-knit community. Its school district is decently regarded as well. The compromise is the relative lack of amenities in town. However, again, Fresno city center is less than 15 minutes away.
Sanger
The small city of Sanger is located just 13 miles east of downtown Fresno, nestled right between Fresno and Kings Canyon National Park. It is home to around 25,000 residents. Sanger offers a quiet small town setting with a historic downtown area and relaxed, rural pace of life. At the same time, Fresno’s amenities are a quick 20-30 minute drive west.
Sanger provides quality public schools in the Sanger Unified School District. It features charming neighborhoods with affordability, as home prices average around $250,000 for single family properties. There are ample parks and outdoor recreation opportunities nearby, with access to the Sierra Nevada foothills wilderness areas. The compromise is that Sanger is further from Fresno job centers than some other suburbs. But for those who value small town living, it can be an ideal place to buy an affordable home within reasonable driving distance of Fresno.
Kerman
The tiny farm town of Kerman is situated just 15 miles west of Fresno, right off of Highway 180. It is home to around 15,000 people and provides a super affordable cost of living. Median home prices are around $200,000, offering great value on property compared to Fresno. Its small town atmosphere features charming neighborhoods and community events.
Kerman is close enough to Fresno to allow a commute into the city for work. The approximate drive time is 20-30 minutes. While Kerman itself does not have too many amenities, Fresno is a short drive away. Kerman schools are decent as well. For home buyers who want an excellent bargain within driving distance of Fresno jobs and activities, Kerman can be appealing.
Madera
Madera is one of the larger Central Valley towns, with a population of around 65,000. It sits about 18 miles north of downtown Fresno. Madera features amenities like shopping, arts and entertainment venues, parks, and restaurants to partially satisfy needs locally versus always driving into Fresno. It provides quality schools in the Madera Unified School District.
Real estate in Madera is priced very reasonably, with median home list prices around $260,000. Its cost of living index is around 15% lower than the national average. Madera offers good value and amenities for families who do not need to commute daily into Fresno city center. The drive into Fresno is around 25-30 minutes. Madera can be a happy medium between Fresno access and more affordable small town living.
Reedley
Reedley is located 25 miles southeast of Fresno, in the Kings River region. It has about 25,000 residents and a quaint small town environment. Reedley has a cute historic downtown area with local shops and eateries. It is surrounded by orchards and agricultural scenery.
Median home prices in Reedley are quite affordable, averaging around $230,000 for single family detached homes. Its schools are decently rated as well. This provides an appealing small town lifestyle, while Fresno city amenities are around a 30 minute drive away. For those not needing to commute daily into the city, Reedley offers charming Central Valley living.
Selma
Selma is a Central Valley town of around 25,000 people located about 15 miles south of Fresno. It is in the center of Fresno County’s agriculture industry and nicknamed “The Raisin Capital of the World.” Selma is close enough to Fresno to commute for work, at around a 20-30 minute drive.
It features cute small town amenities like quaint neighborhoods, mom and pop shops, and community parks. Median home prices are affordable too, averaging around $250,000. Selma’s schools are decently ranked as well. For an easy drive into Fresno and relaxed pace of life for a fraction of city prices, Selma is an appealing town.
Kingsburg
The town of Kingsburg sits about 14 miles southeast of Fresno, with a population around 12,000 people. It has preserved its historic Swedish heritage and provides charming small town living. Kingsburg has the amenities of a cute downtown area, parks, and community events. Its median home price is around $300,000, slightly lower than the metro area.
Kingsburg schools are quality as well. The drive into Fresno is around 20-30 minutes. For those looking for an affordable foray into Central Valley living with Swedish architecture and convenience to Fresno jobs, Kingsburg can be ideal.
Conclusion
For those looking to live close to Fresno, California, there are many great options in the surrounding towns and suburbs. Prime considerations are low commute times into downtown Fresno, high quality school districts, affordability, and small town charm. The cities of Clovis, Fowler, Sanger, Kerman, Madera, Reedley, Selma, and Kingsburg all provide varying flavors of life within 30 miles of Fresno. Clovis offers the most amenities combined with short commute times, while further towns provide quaint environments and greater affordability. Within a half hour drive of Fresno, home buyers can find the perfect Central Valley community to match lifestyle needs and budget.