Virginia Beach VA 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)
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
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
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Virginia Beach
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Virginia Beach
37.4
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Virginia Beach
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 135,983 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 61.6% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 18.9% | 17.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 7.2% | 4.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,685 | $70,663 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,372 | $26,955 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 11.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 20.0% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.4% | 12.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
58.5%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,121 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.9% | 58.5% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.0% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Visalia
10.9 in
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | 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.)
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 41.6 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Virginia Beach, VALos Angeles, CA vs Virginia Beach, VAChicago, IL vs Virginia Beach, VAHouston, TX vs Virginia Beach, VAPhoenix, AZ vs Virginia Beach, VAPhiladelphia, PA vs Virginia Beach, VA