Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 135,983 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 70.1% | 36.5% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $70,663 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $26,955 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 11.6% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 20.0% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 12.4% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Visalia
2388
Visalia +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Visalia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 32.2% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.2% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 13.0% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.8% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.0% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 63.3°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 41.6 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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