Springfield MA 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)
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
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
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 135,983 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 40.8% | 36.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 20.0% | 17.1% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Springfield +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Visalia
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Springfield +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $26,955 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $77,230 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 11.6% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 20.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 12.4% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $397,983 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 503 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2388 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.8% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Visalia
10.9 in
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 41.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 8.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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