Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Salinas
32.1
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Salinas
1.4%
Salinas +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 32.1 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 81.8% | 21.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 1.4% | Salinas + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $28,813 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 15.5% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Salinas
$751,711
Salinas +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $751,711 | Salinas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 47.0% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 32.8% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 12.4% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 18.2% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 22.4% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.9% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 57.3°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 28.8 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while salinas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $751,711. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
Compare More Cities
Boulder, CO vs New York, NYBoulder, CO vs Los Angeles, CABoulder, CO vs Chicago, ILBoulder, CO vs Houston, TXBoulder, CO vs Phoenix, AZBoulder, CO vs Philadelphia, PA