Tallahassee FL vs Vallejo CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tallahassee
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Tallahassee
8.0%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Tallahassee
4.0%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Tallahassee
8.6%
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Spanish at Home
Tallahassee
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 68,141 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 42.1 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.0% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 50.7% | 17.9% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 35.7% | 5.3% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 19.3% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tallahassee
$55,931
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Tallahassee
$35,704
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tallahassee
$65,328
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Tallahassee
6.5%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Tallahassee
23.2%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
Vallejo
45.3%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,931 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,704 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.0% | 45.3% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Tallahassee
39.5%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,664 | $523,551 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.5% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
34.1%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tallahassee
20.3%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
13.2%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
16.7%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
12.2%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.1% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.3% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tallahassee
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 36.0 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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