Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
32.1
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
36.3%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
80.3%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 161,993 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 32.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 36.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 21.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 80.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $89,150 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $28,813 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 15.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $751,711 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 47.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 503 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2388 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Grand Island +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.4% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 18.2% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 22.4% | Grand Island + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 57.3°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 28.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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