Spokane WA 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)
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 135,983 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 81.0% | 36.5% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $26,955 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 11.6% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 20.0% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 12.4% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Visalia
2388
Visalia +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Visalia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.2% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.0% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.8% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | 63.3°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 41.6 min | Spokane + |
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, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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