El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Visalia
20.1%
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Visalia
55.3%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 135,983 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 20.1% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 36.5% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 55.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
El Paso +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $26,955 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 11.6% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 20.0% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 12.4% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Visalia
58.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $397,983 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 58.5% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.9% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.8% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Visalia
10.9 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 10.9 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 41.6 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, 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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