Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 161,993 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 39.9% | 21.8% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 1.4% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $28,813 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 15.5% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $751,711 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 32.8% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.4% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 18.2% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 22.4% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.9% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 28.8 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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