Firstly why Visalia, California?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Visalia
• State: California
• Population: 136,797 people
• Visalia’s quick summary would be Recognized for its historic downtown and as the gateway to Sequoia National Park.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 6,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 7,000 annually
• Net Migration: -1000 less people annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 2,000
• Number of Homeless people: 500

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it known for its agricultural economy attracting farming professionals

Perk #1: Visalia Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 32%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 57%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Hispanic
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $56,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Visalia is $55,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $-1000 in negative cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Visalia’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 110 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,688
• Property Tax %: 1.14%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,000
• Rent for an average house: $1,900
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Visalia
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Visalia, Tulare, Exeter, Woodlake, and probably could include Hanford
• Avg. Age of Homes in Visalia: 38 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.2%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Visalia’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Visalia are  Agriculture, Retail, and Education
• Visalia Job Scene: moderate job market focused on agriculture and healthcare
• The General Tech Scene: modest tech landscape with focus on agriculture and food-tech initiatives , ,
• Visalia Resident’s pay $1,100 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Visalia: 8%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 100 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 8

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Visalia

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $120 on average per person
• Freeway Access: Highway 99 connects Visalia to various destinations in the region
• Commute Time: 23 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: slowdowns on Mooney Boulevard
• Transportation Score: 33 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Visalia: 50,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.4
• No. of Car Washes: 4 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Visalia: dmv.ca.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 59 of 100
• Local Airport: Visalia Municipal

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Visalia’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Wildfires
• General Weather in Visalia is best described as has hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F and mild winters with occasional rainfall
• Winter Weather in Visalia i’d describe as cool with sunny days
• Spring Weather in Visalia can be described as warm and dry
• Summer’s in Visalia are mostly hot and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Visalia is usually warm and dry
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 41 days in summer
• Days in a row in Visalia below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 11 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality often struggles with ozone levels
• Visalia Winter Air poor air quality often influenced by agricultural burning

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Visalia Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Visalia 2
• While the number of trade schools inside Visalias’s city limits are 3
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Visalia Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Visalia Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Visalia only Doctors is about 60
• Local Hospitals here is  3
• Full-time Visalia only Police Officers is about 130
• Crime Rate Index: 55/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Visalia’s Monthly utility bill average is $130
• Visalia’s Monthly Gym Membership: $52
• Visalia’s Water Quality Score: 70

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Visalia

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 8 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: a blend of small-town charm with agricultural roots
• You might enjoy community events with live music
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Visalia  offers a friendly atmosphere in local bars and restaurants with frequent entertainment options

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Visalia

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features a blend of American cuisine and local favorites
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 30 scattered around Visalia
• The Popular Sports Team is Visalia Rawhide
• Top Level Political Climate in Visalia can be described as agriculturally focused conservative area with community priorities
• Visalia’s Longer standing religious establishment is Visalia United Methodist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Visalia Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Visalia has 28 Parks?
• Visalia City Park is Visalia’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Visalia Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, cycling, and wine tours

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Visalia Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Visalia can be described as moderate pace focused on agricultural roots and community events
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Visalia playing sports picnicking parks local community events
• The Cities people commute to from Visalia are Tulare 11 miles away Fresno 34 miles away Hanford 28 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Visalia or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: slowdowns on Mooney Boulevard. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Visalia’s Wildfires risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Visalia is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Visalia are Tulare 11 miles away Fresno 34 miles away Hanford 28 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 55 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Visalia has 0 days in a row below freezing and 41 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Visalia people have an average (positive or negative) $-1000 in negative cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   500 homeless people living in Visalia. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general agriculturally focused conservative area with community priorities could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Visalia.

Retiree & Senior Life in Visalia

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may qualify for local tax breaks assisting with property ownership expenses
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Gardens
• Visalia Senior Center offers wellness programs arts classes and social activities for seniors

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Visalia, California?

If Visalia, California ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Visalia, California, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!