Allen TX vs Salinas CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 55.7% | 21.8% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 1.4% | Allen + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 5.7% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $89,150 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $28,813 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.7% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 14.2% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 15.5% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Allen +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $751,711 | Allen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 47.0% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allen +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Allen +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Allen, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Allen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Allen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 32.8% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.4% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 18.2% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 22.4% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.9% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while allen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $502,170. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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