Pueblo CO 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)
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
Pueblo
111,514
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pueblo
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Pueblo
38.1
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Pueblo
4.0%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Pueblo
2.7%
Pueblo +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Pueblo
0.8%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Pueblo
48.4%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Pueblo
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,514 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 4.0% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 70.3% | 21.8% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 2.7% | 1.4% | Pueblo + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pueblo
$55,305
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Pueblo
$30,949
Pueblo +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pueblo
$76,653
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Pueblo
5.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Pueblo
19.2%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pueblo
22.8%
Pueblo +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,305 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,949 | $28,813 | Pueblo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 15.5% | Pueblo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,326 | $751,711 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.8% | 47.0% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
512
Salinas
503
Salinas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
3234
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Salinas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
33.5%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
13.5%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pueblo
18.0%
Pueblo +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
18.9%
Pueblo +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.6%
Pueblo +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.1%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.2% | Pueblo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 22.4% | Pueblo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Pueblo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7°F | 57.3°F | Pueblo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.0 in | 15.5 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pueblo
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 28.8 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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