Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 161,993 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 53.7% | 21.8% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 7.8% | 1.4% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $28,813 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 15.5% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $751,711 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 47.0% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 32.8% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.4% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 22.4% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.9% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 15.5 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 28.8 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Phoenix, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs Phoenix, AZPhoenix, AZ vs San Antonio, TX