Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Boca Raton +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 77.2% | 21.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 1.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $89,150 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $28,813 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 14.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 15.5% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Boca Raton +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $751,711 | Boca Raton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 47.0% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 32.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 18.2% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 22.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.9% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 28.8 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while boca Raton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $562,670. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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