Roanoke VA 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 57.5% | 36.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 29.0% | 17.1% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $26,955 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 11.6% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 20.0% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 12.4% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $397,983 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.8% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 63.3°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 41.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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