Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 161,993 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 58.4% | 21.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 13.4% | 1.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $28,813 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 15.5% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $751,711 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 47.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 503 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2388 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 22.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 28.8 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Oklahoma City 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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