Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 161,993 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 53.8% | 21.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 27.5% | 1.4% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $28,813 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 14.2% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 15.5% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $751,711 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 47.0% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 32.8% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.4% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 18.2% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 22.4% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.8% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.9% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 28.8 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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