Vancouver 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)
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Vancouver
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Vancouver
37.5
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Vancouver
13.6%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Vancouver
3.1%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Vancouver
17.2%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Vancouver
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,696 | 135,983 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 70.6% | 36.5% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 3.1% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.4% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 17.2% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Vancouver
$76,120
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,156 | $70,663 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,839 | $26,955 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 11.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 20.0% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 12.4% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Vancouver
$510,577
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Vancouver
49.9%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,577 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.9% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Vancouver
3409
Visalia
2388
Visalia +
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Visalia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
36.2%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Vancouver
19.1%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.2% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.0% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.0% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Vancouver
41.6 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.1°F | 63.3°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Vancouver
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Vancouver, WA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 41.6 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver 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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