Visalia CA vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Visalia
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
33.0
Foreign Born
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Visalia
36.5%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Visalia
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,983 | 102,558 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 33.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.1% | 7.2% | Visalia + |
| White | 36.5% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 17.1% | 12.9% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 4.4% | 2.7% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 55.3% | 22.4% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Visalia
$26,955
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Visalia
11.6%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Visalia
20.0%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Visalia
12.4%
Wichita Falls
25.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,663 | $58,568 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,955 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.6% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.4% | 25.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Visalia
$397,983
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $397,983 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 57.0% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Visalia
503
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Visalia
2388
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 35.4% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.6% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.8% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.9% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.8% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.9% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 63.4°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.9 in | 28.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita Falls, 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
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 41.6 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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