Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 135,983 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 62.9% | 36.5% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $70,663 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $26,955 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 11.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 20.0% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 12.4% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Visalia
503
Visalia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Visalia
2388
Visalia +
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 32.2% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.9% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 16.8% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.0% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 41.6 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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