Tucson AZ 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)
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
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
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tucson
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Tucson
34.6
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Tucson
13.7%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Tucson
5.0%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Tucson
3.1%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Tucson
42.7%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Tucson
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,348 | 135,983 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 13.7% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 58.2% | 36.5% | Tucson + |
| Black | 5.0% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 42.7% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tucson
$54,546
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tucson
$59,120
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $54,546 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,152 | $26,955 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 11.6% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 20.0% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.2% | 12.4% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Tucson
51.7%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,946 | $397,983 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
33.5%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
11.5%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tucson
18.3%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tucson
15.7%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tucson
12.5%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.8% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
69.8°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
12.2 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.8°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.2 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tucson
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.9 min | 41.6 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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