Davenport IA 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)
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Davenport
101,083
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Davenport
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Davenport
37.8
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Davenport
4.6%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Davenport
11.2%
Davenport +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Davenport
1.9%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Davenport
9.1%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Davenport
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,083 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 75.9% | 21.8% | Davenport + |
| Black | 11.2% | 1.4% | Davenport + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Davenport
$64,497
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Davenport
$36,583
Davenport +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Davenport
$61,226
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Davenport
4.8%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Davenport
15.6%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Davenport
30.0%
Davenport +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,497 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,583 | $28,813 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 15.5% | Davenport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,117 | $751,711 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 47.0% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 503 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2388 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
42.6%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Davenport
21.1%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Davenport
16.2%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.4% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.2% | Davenport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 22.4% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.1% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
49.3°F
Davenport +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
36.0 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.3°F | 57.3°F | Davenport + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.0 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Davenport
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 28.8 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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