Asheville NC vs Visalia CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
32.0
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
20.1%
White
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
55.3%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 135,983 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 20.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 55.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $70,663 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $26,955 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
58.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 58.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 32.2% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.2% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.9% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.0% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.8% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 63.3°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 41.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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