Living in Visalia, CA
Visalia is the 194th-largest city in the US, home to about 147,000 people in 2025. It has grown 3.5% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (99.8 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 146,541+3.5% since 2020
- Median home value
- $371,5004.5 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,490/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $81,989median, per year
- Price level
- 99.8US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 55° / 94°lows 38° / 67°
- Average commute
- 23 min8% work from home
- State income tax
- 13.3%top rate, graduated
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County: Tulare County
Time zone: Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 in summer)
Elevation: about 331 ft
Metro area: Visalia, CA
Cost of living in Visalia
The median home in Visalia is worth $371,500 and the median household earns $81,989 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,490 a month, about 22% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Visalia, CA metro area at 99.8, with housing at 84.1 and goods at 105.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $74,900 here. California taxes wages at a top rate of 13.3%. The average combined state and local sales tax in California is 9.03%.
What would my salary be worth in Visalia?
Visalia weather
Average highs run from 55°F in January to 94°F in July, and January nights average 38°F. It gets 10 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 95 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are March to May and October to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Visalia
People and work
The median resident is 33.9 years old, and 24% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 61% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 23 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 33.9126th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 24%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 61%of households
- People per sq mile
- 3,80638.5 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 0%2% walk, 0.2% bike
- Unemployment
- 6.9%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 11.5%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1988median year
Who moves to Visalia, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Anaheim (Orange County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Los Angeles (Los Angeles County), San Diego (San Diego County) and San Luis Obispo County, CA. See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Tulare County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: wildfire, inland flooding, heat wave, lightning.
Home prices
+0.6% in a year
Up 39% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Visalia, CA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
24% good days
43 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Visalia-Porterville, CA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Visalia
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Lemoore College 30 miles
- Porterville College 25 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Visalia
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Fresno Yosemite International Airport FAT | 39 mi | 1,318,250 |
| Meadows Field Airport BFL | 63 mi | 195,148 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Visalia
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porterville College | 25 mi | 2,834 | $3,071 | 34% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Visalia
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before January 23, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 29 and the first frost comes around December 13.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Visalia, CA, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Visalia.
Wildfire smoke in Visalia
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Visalia on about 51 days a year, including about 14 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Visalia
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 47,089 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Visalia
Downtown Visalia is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visalia Unified School District | K to 12 | 28,809 | 41 | 21.5 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Tulare City Elementary School District (9,294 students), Dinuba Unified School District (6,244 students), Tulare Joint Union High School District (5,598 students), Hanford Joint Union High School District (4,238 students), Lindsay Unified School District (3,928 students), Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District (3,815 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Visalia's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Visalia's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Redding, CA76% matchCompare
- Midland, TX68% matchCompare
- St. George, UT66% matchCompare
- Denton, TX66% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Visalia
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Visalia
- Alta Sierra Ski Resort 59 miles
- China Peak 63 miles
- Mammoth Mountain Ski Area 92 miles
- Badger Pass Ski Area 94 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Visalia
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what do you love about Visalia?
Cons
- Data California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Sales tax is high: 9.03% on average with local taxes.
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 95 days a year reach 90°F.
- Data Air quality is a concern: 43 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).
Visalia report card from locals
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Visalia through locals' eyes
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Cities near Visalia
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CA | 35 mi | 555,549 | $374,800 | 102.2 | Compare |
| Clovis, CA | 40 mi | 129,347 | $482,700 | 102.2 | Compare |
| Bakersfield, CA | 71 mi | 422,165 | $371,700 | 100.9 | Compare |
| Merced, CA | 94 mi | 99,724 | $372,600 | 98.3 | Compare |
| Santa Maria, CA | 115 mi | 111,390 | $531,700 | 108.8 | Compare |
| Lancaster, CA | 130 mi | 170,084 | $446,600 | 113.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Visalia with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Visalia a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show short commutes; the trade-offs are 95 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Visalia side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Visalia?
The Census Bureau estimates Visalia had 146,541 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 141,650 in April 2020 (+3.5%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Visalia?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $74,900 in the Visalia area. The median household here earns $81,989.
When is the best time to visit Visalia?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, March to May and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 94°F and January 55°F for daytime highs.
What county is Visalia in?
Visalia is in Tulare County, California. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Visalia in?
Visalia is on Pacific Time (UTC-8, or UTC-7 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Visalia?
About 331 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes. California has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 13.3% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Visalia. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Visalia, CA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Visalia, CA station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.