Visalia CA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Visalia
135,983
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Visalia
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Visalia
36.5%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Visalia
17.1%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Visalia
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,983 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 35.6 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.1% | 10.7% | Visalia + |
| White | 36.5% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 17.1% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 4.4% | 2.3% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 55.3% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Visalia
$26,955
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Visalia
11.6%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Visalia
20.0%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Visalia
12.4%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,663 | $57,673 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,955 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.6% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.4% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $397,983 | $419,326 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 54.6% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Visalia
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Visalia
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Visalia
32.2%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Visalia
11.2%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Visalia
17.9%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Visalia
13.0%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.5% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.2% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 63.8°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.9 in | 58.4 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Visalia
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Visalia
41.6 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 41.6 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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