Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Salinas
36.3%
White
Miami
34.2%
Miami +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 161,993 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 36.3% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 21.8% | Miami + |
| Black | 13.7% | 1.4% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $28,813 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 15.5% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Miami +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $751,711 | Miami + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Salinas
22.4%
Salinas +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 32.8% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 18.2% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 22.4% | Salinas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.8% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.9% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while miami offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,996. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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