San Francisco CA 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)
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Francisco
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
San Francisco
39.7
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
Visalia
20.1%
White
San Francisco
40.5%
San Francisco +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
San Francisco
5.1%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
San Francisco
15.9%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
San Francisco
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 135,983 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 34.2% | 20.1% | San Francisco + |
| White | 40.5% | 36.5% | San Francisco + |
| Black | 5.1% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 35.0% | 4.4% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 15.9% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Francisco
$77,230
Visalia
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,446 | $70,663 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,285 | $26,955 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 11.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 20.0% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 12.4% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
San Francisco
38.5%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,369,171 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
503
Visalia
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
2388
Visalia
2388
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
19.6%
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 32.2% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.2% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 17.9% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 13.0% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 16.8% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.0% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
20.7 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 63.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Francisco
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Francisco
33.9 min
San Francisco +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 41.6 min | San Francisco + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Visalia is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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