Colorado Springs 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 161,993 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 72.3% | 21.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 1.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $28,813 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 14.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 15.5% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $751,711 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 47.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, 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
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 32.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 22.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 57.3°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 28.8 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
Compare More Cities
Colorado Springs, CO vs New York, NYColorado Springs, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Colorado Springs, COColorado Springs, CO vs Houston, TXColorado Springs, CO vs Phoenix, AZColorado Springs, CO vs Philadelphia, PA