Everett WA 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)
Everett, WA
Washington · Population: 111,083
- Median HH Income$81,502
- Median Home Price$665,406
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Everett
111,083
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Everett
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Everett
37.1
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Everett
21.6%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Everett
61.4%
Everett +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Everett
6.5%
Everett +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Everett
10.0%
Everett +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Everett
17.3%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Everett
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,083 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 61.4% | 21.8% | Everett + |
| Black | 6.5% | 1.4% | Everett + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 5.7% | Everett + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Everett
$81,502
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Everett
$44,115
Everett +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Everett
$76,120
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Everett
5.4%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Everett
12.1%
Everett +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Everett
28.9%
Everett +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,502 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,115 | $28,813 | Everett + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.1% | 14.2% | Everett + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 15.5% | Everett + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Everett
$665,406
Everett +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Everett
50.0%
Everett +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $665,406 | $751,711 | Everett + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 47.0% | Everett + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Everett
383
Everett +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Everett
3409
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Everett + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Everett
32.7%
Everett +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Everett
9.4%
Everett +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Everett
17.5%
Everett +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Everett
9.8%
Everett +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Everett
16.5%
Everett +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Everett
11.6%
Everett +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 32.8% | Everett + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.4% | Everett + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.2% | Everett + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 22.4% | Everett + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.8% | Everett + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.9% | Everett + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Everett
51.8°F
Everett +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Everett
38.4 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 57.3°F | Everett + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.4 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Everett
7.5 µg/m³
Everett +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Everett
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Everett + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Everett
28.9 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.9 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while everett offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $665,406. On public safety, Everett is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Everett has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Everett scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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