Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 161,993 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 51.3% | 21.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 1.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $28,813 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 15.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $751,711 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 47.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 32.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 22.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 28.8 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Lauderdale, FL vs New York, NYFort Lauderdale, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Lauderdale, FLFort Lauderdale, FL vs Houston, TXFort Lauderdale, FL vs Phoenix, AZFort Lauderdale, FL vs Philadelphia, PA