Inglewood 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)
Inglewood, CA
California · Population: 90,669
- Median HH Income$78,709
- Median Home Price$761,870
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+21.1%
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
Inglewood
90,669
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Inglewood
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Inglewood
38.2
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Inglewood
25.3%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Inglewood
36.5%
Inglewood +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Inglewood
3.4%
Inglewood +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Inglewood
2.7%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Inglewood
68.9%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Inglewood
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,669 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 25.3% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 36.5% | 21.8% | Inglewood + |
| Black | 3.4% | 1.4% | Inglewood + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 68.9% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Inglewood
$78,709
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Inglewood
$35,231
Inglewood +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Inglewood
$77,230
Salinas
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Inglewood
4.6%
Inglewood +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Inglewood
11.6%
Inglewood +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Inglewood
21.1%
Inglewood +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,709 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,231 | $28,813 | Inglewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.7% | Inglewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 14.2% | Inglewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.1% | 15.5% | Inglewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Inglewood
$761,870
Salinas
$751,711
Salinas +
Homeownership Rate
Inglewood
68.3%
Inglewood +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $761,870 | $751,711 | Salinas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.3% | 47.0% | Inglewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Inglewood
503
Salinas
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Inglewood
2388
Salinas
2388
Tie
| Metric | Inglewood, 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
Inglewood
32.6%
Inglewood +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.5%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Inglewood
18.2%
Salinas
18.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.4%
Inglewood +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
14.2%
Inglewood +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Inglewood
12.7%
Inglewood +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 32.8% | Inglewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 22.4% | Inglewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.8% | Inglewood + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.9% | Inglewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Inglewood
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Inglewood
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Inglewood
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Inglewood
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Inglewood, 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
Inglewood
24.0 min
Inglewood +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Inglewood, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 28.8 min | Inglewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Inglewood. Inglewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Inglewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Inglewood, CA vs New York, NYInglewood, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Inglewood, CAHouston, TX vs Inglewood, CAInglewood, CA vs Phoenix, AZInglewood, CA vs Philadelphia, PA