Fullerton CA 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Fullerton +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Fullerton +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 43.0% | 21.8% | Fullerton + |
| Black | 2.1% | 1.4% | Fullerton + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 5.7% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Salinas
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $89,150 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $28,813 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 14.2% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 15.5% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Salinas
$751,711
Salinas +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Fullerton +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $751,711 | Salinas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 47.0% | Fullerton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Salinas
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Salinas
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 32.8% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.4% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.2% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 22.4% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.8% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.9% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 15.5 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, while salinas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $751,711. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fullerton. 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, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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