Durham 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 135,983 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 44.0% | 36.5% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 17.1% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 4.4% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $70,663 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $26,955 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 11.6% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 20.0% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 12.4% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Durham, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.9% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 13.0% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.0% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 63.3°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, 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
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 41.6 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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%.
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