2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Visalia

California (CA)

Best for: Families and value-focused households who want Central Valley affordability with exceptional Sierra Nevada weekend access

2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents

Modern Livability78.0/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population146,541

Median Home$371,500

Median Rent$1,490

Median Household Income$81,989

Cost of LivingRPP 99.8 (US=100; BEA 2024)

Average Commute21.4 min

Unemployment5.8% (BLS 2024 annual avg)

Metro AreaVisalia, CA

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

78.0overall

Housing & Financial Reality72.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living89.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability78.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity77.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness77.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place78.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion69.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape76.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging82.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment78.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture79.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity82.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate. Peak-hour slowdowns occur on major corridors, but many everyday trips remain manageable.

Weekend EscapeGood to very good. Parks and regional day-trip destinations provide useful weekend variety.

WalkabilityAbout 39/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is generally car-dependent, so neighborhood choice strongly affects daily convenience.

Airport AccessGood to excellent. Regional airport access is practical, with larger nearby hubs expanding domestic and international options where needed.

Outdoor AccessGood to very good. Local parks, trails and regional recreation provide meaningful outdoor options.

Healthcare AccessStrong to excellent. Major hospitals, outpatient networks and specialty providers offer practical routine and advanced-care access.

Air QualityMixed. Ozone, wildfire smoke, traffic emissions or valley/inversion conditions can periodically reduce air quality.

Third Places / Social LifeGood to very good. Restaurants, parks, cafés, libraries and community events provide regular gathering places.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Stable

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Visalia is included in the 2027 MNM Livability Index as the #194 most populous U.S. city in the Census Bureau's 2025 estimates. Its strongest advantages are housing value; agricultural economy; sequoia access; family neighborhoods; short commutes. The clearest tradeoffs are summer heat; air quality; lower job diversity; car dependence; agricultural volatility. The MNM profile balances housing, everyday ease, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure rather than relying on a single headline metric.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Visalia feels shaped by housing value and its broader central valley / san joaquin valley setting. Neighborhood choice has a meaningful effect on commute, walkability, housing cost and overall day-to-day experience.

STRENGTHS