Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Visalia
20.1%
White
Houston
35.5%
Visalia
36.5%
Visalia +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 135,983 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 20.1% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 36.5% | Visalia + |
| Black | 22.9% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 4.4% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $26,955 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 11.6% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 20.0% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 12.4% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $397,983 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Houston, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.9% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.8% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 41.6 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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