St. Louis MO 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)
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
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
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 135,983 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 45.7% | 36.5% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 43.1% | 17.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $26,955 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 11.6% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 20.0% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 12.4% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $397,983 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Visalia
2388
Visalia +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Visalia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.0% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 16.8% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Visalia
10.9 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | 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.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 41.6 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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