Visalia CA vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Visalia
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Visalia
36.5%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Visalia
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,983 | 118,578 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 37.5 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.1% | 5.7% | Visalia + |
| White | 36.5% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 17.1% | 14.9% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 4.4% | 1.3% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 55.3% | 8.9% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Visalia
$26,955
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Visalia
11.6%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Visalia
20.0%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Visalia
12.4%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,663 | $63,900 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,955 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.6% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.4% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Visalia
$397,983
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $397,983 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 46.8% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Visalia
503
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Visalia
2388
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Visalia
17.9%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Visalia
13.0%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Visalia
16.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 42.7% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.1% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.4% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Visalia
63.3°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Visalia
10.9 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Visalia
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Winston-Salem, 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
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 41.6 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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