Modesto 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 161,993 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 50.8% | 21.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 1.4% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 5.7% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Salinas
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Modesto +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $28,813 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 14.2% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 15.5% | Modesto + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $751,711 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 47.0% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Salinas
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Salinas
2388
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
36.2%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.4% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 22.4% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.8% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | 15.5 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
30.5 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. 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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