Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 68.4% | 21.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| Black | 5.9% | 1.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $28,813 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.7% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 14.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 15.5% | Broken Arrow + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $751,711 | Broken Arrow + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 47.0% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 503 | Broken Arrow + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2388 | Broken Arrow + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 22.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Broken Arrow +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 28.8 min | Broken Arrow + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while broken Arrow offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,352. On public safety, Broken Arrow is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Broken Arrow has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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