Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 135,983 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 41.5% | 36.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 37.5% | 17.1% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Visalia
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Rochester +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $26,955 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 11.6% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 12.4% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $397,983 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.0% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 63.3°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 41.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, 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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