Modesto CA 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 135,983 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 50.8% | 36.5% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 4.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Visalia
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Modesto +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $70,663 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $26,955 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 11.6% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 20.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 12.4% | Modesto + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Visalia
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Visalia
2388
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Visalia
13.0%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.0% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.8% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 41.6 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 503 in Modesto. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, 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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