2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Visalia, CA vs San Rafael, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Rafael or is it cheaper to live in Visalia?
- San Rafael is 131.0% more expensive than Visalia.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Rafael or Visalia?
- San Rafael housing costs are 323.7% more expensive than Visalia housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Visalia or is Health Care more affordable in San Rafael.
- Health related expenses are 4.5% less in San Rafael.
 Visalia, CASan Rafael, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock230.1100
 Food & Groceries99.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock110.1100
 Housing105.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,209,300$338,100
 Utilities109  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock118.7100
 Miscellaneous109.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Visalia    27 Reviews

I've lived in the city of Visalia for 3 years now. Relocated to accommodate a territory sales job. If I were allowed, I'd go w. a 3 1/2 Star rating. If not for the  More

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Quite possibly the most miserable city/town I have lived in. Why?: * Air quality is toxic and dangerous from a combination of intensive agricultural farming and diesel  More

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So Visalia's NE, NW, SW, and Downtown are nice areas. The worst part of town is north of Houston between Dinuba BLVD and Ben Maddox. Here you will see lots of  More

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Reviews for San Rafael    7 Reviews

Over 14 years ago

San Rafael is only 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco, but the weather is completely different. It's sunny most of the year, including in the summer when the city  More

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Over 16 years ago

I feal very safe in this town. I think getting stopped for talking on your cell phone while driving is a big deal here. Thats about all I can  More

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Over 18 years ago

Cost of living too high. Unfriendly  More

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