Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 135,983 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 53.7% | 36.5% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 7.8% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $70,663 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $26,955 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 11.6% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 20.0% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 12.4% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.2% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.9% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Visalia
10.9 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 10.9 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 41.6 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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