Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
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 Gardens
11,627
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 52.5% | 21.8% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 15.3% | 1.4% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $89,150 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $28,813 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 14.2% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 15.5% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $751,711 | Miami Gardens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 47.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Salinas
22.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.2% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 22.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.8% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | 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.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while miami Gardens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,888. On public safety, Miami Gardens 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 Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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