Irving TX 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Salinas
36.3%
White
Irving
36.7%
Irving +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 161,993 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 36.3% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 21.8% | Irving + |
| Black | 12.9% | 1.4% | Irving + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 5.7% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $28,813 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.7% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 14.2% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 15.5% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Irving +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $751,711 | Irving + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Irving +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Irving +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Irving, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Irving + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Irving +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 32.8% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.4% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.2% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 22.4% | Irving + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.9% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Irving, TX | 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.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Irving, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 28.8 min | Irving + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while irving offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,888. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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