Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 161,993 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 59.9% | 21.8% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 1.4% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 5.7% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $89,150 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $28,813 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.7% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 14.2% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 15.5% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $751,711 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Austin, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 32.8% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.4% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.2% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 22.4% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.9% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 28.8 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Austin, TX vs New York, NYAustin, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAustin, TX vs Chicago, ILAustin, TX vs Houston, TXAustin, TX vs Phoenix, AZAustin, TX vs Philadelphia, PA