Visalia CA vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Visalia
135,983
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Visalia
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Visalia
20.1%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Visalia
36.5%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Visalia
4.4%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Visalia
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,983 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 34.1 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 20.1% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 36.5% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 17.1% | 12.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 4.4% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 55.3% | 24.9% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Visalia
$26,955
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Visalia
$77,230
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Visalia
11.6%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Visalia
20.0%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Visalia
12.4%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,663 | $67,544 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,955 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.6% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.4% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $397,983 | $435,532 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.5% | 42.4% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Visalia
503
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Visalia
2388
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Visalia
13.0%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 35.3% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.4% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.5% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Visalia
63.3°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.9 in | 48.1 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Visalia
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Visalia
41.6 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Visalia, CA | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 41.6 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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