Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Visalia
32.0
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 32.0 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 81.8% | 36.5% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.4% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $70,663 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $26,955 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 11.6% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 12.4% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Visalia
503
Visalia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Visalia
2388
Visalia +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Visalia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Visalia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Visalia
17.9%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 32.2% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 11.2% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.9% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.0% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.8% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 63.3°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 41.6 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Visalia is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Boulder has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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