Visalia CA vs Wichita KS — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Visalia
135,983
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Visalia
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Visalia
36.5%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Visalia
4.4%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Visalia
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,983 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 35.7 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.1% | 10.0% | Visalia + |
| White | 36.5% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 17.1% | 9.7% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 4.4% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 55.3% | 18.4% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Visalia
$26,955
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Visalia
11.6%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Visalia
20.0%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Visalia
12.4%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,663 | $63,072 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,955 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.6% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.4% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Visalia
$397,983
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $397,983 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 58.4% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Visalia
503
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Visalia
2388
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Visalia
17.9%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Visalia
13.0%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Visalia
16.8%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 39.5% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.6% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.3% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Visalia
63.3°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.9 in | 32.6 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Visalia
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Visalia
41.6 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 41.6 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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