Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Memphis +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 161,993 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 25.0% | 21.8% | Memphis + |
| Black | 62.9% | 1.4% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $28,813 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 15.5% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $751,711 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 22.4% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.8% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 28.8 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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