Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Evansville +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 77.1% | 21.8% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 1.4% | Evansville + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Evansville +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Evansville +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $28,813 | Evansville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 15.5% | Evansville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $751,711 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 47.0% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 503 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2388 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Evansville +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 22.4% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.8% | Evansville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 28.8 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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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