Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Visalia
36.5%
Visalia +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 135,983 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 11.7% | 36.5% | Visalia + |
| Black | 76.8% | 17.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Visalia
$26,955
Visalia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Visalia
11.6%
Visalia +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Detroit +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $26,955 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 11.6% | Visalia + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 12.4% | Detroit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $397,983 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.0% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 63.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 41.6 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Visalia has a lower unemployment rate at 11.6%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
Compare More Cities
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA