Visalia CA vs Waco TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Visalia
135,983
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Visalia
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Visalia
32.0
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
Waco
9.8%
White
Visalia
36.5%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Visalia
17.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Visalia
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,983 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 20.1% | 9.8% | Visalia + |
| White | 36.5% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 17.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 4.4% | 2.0% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 55.3% | 29.9% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Visalia
$26,955
Waco
$28,819
Waco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Visalia
11.6%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Visalia
20.0%
Visalia +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Visalia
12.4%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,663 | $51,468 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,955 | $28,819 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.6% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 24.0% | Visalia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.4% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Visalia
$397,983
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $397,983 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 48.9% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Visalia
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Visalia
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Visalia
16.8%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 36.8% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 20.4% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 20.4% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.1% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 66.6°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.9 in | 36.4 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Visalia
41.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 41.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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