Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Visalia
32.0
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 32.0 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 78.6% | 36.5% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Visalia
$26,955
Visalia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $26,955 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 11.6% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 12.4% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Provo, UT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 503 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2388 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 32.2% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.2% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 16.8% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 12.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 63.3°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 41.6 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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