New Braunfels 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)
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
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
New Braunfels
267
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Salinas
1.4%
Salinas +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 267 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 84.3% | 21.8% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 0.0% | 1.4% | Salinas + |
| Asian | 0.0% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 15.7% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Salinas
$28,813
Salinas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Salinas
15.5%
Salinas +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,643 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,360 | $28,813 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 1.8% | 15.5% | Salinas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $352,129 | $751,711 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 90.8% | 47.0% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
34.6%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
New Braunfels +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.4% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.2% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 22.4% | New Braunfels + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.9% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | New Braunfels, 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
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.6 min | 28.8 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. 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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