Plymouth MN 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)
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
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
Plymouth
79,526
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plymouth
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Plymouth
40.7
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Plymouth
13.6%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Plymouth
5.0%
Plymouth +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Plymouth
4.7%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Plymouth
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,526 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 74.8% | 21.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 5.0% | 1.4% | Plymouth + |
| Asian | 10.1% | 5.7% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plymouth
$69,467
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $133,865 | $89,150 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $69,839 | $28,813 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.0% | 4.7% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 14.2% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 15.5% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plymouth
$514,358
Plymouth +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $514,358 | $751,711 | Plymouth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% | 47.0% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 503 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2388 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
18.5%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.1% | 32.8% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 12.4% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 18.2% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | 22.4% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.9% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | 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.)
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plymouth
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 28.8 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while plymouth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $514,358. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Plymouth, MNLos Angeles, CA vs Plymouth, MNChicago, IL vs Plymouth, MNHouston, TX vs Plymouth, MNPhoenix, AZ vs Plymouth, MNPhiladelphia, PA vs Plymouth, MN