Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Baltimore +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 161,993 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 27.4% | 21.8% | Baltimore + |
| Black | 60.0% | 1.4% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $28,813 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 15.5% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $751,711 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 47.0% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 503 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2388 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 22.4% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.8% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Baltimore +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 57.3°F | Baltimore + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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