Rancho Cucamonga CA 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)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
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
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 161,993 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 21.1% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 44.0% | 21.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Black | 8.3% | 1.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 15.4% | 5.7% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Salinas
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,511 | $89,150 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,626 | $28,813 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.0% | 14.2% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 15.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Salinas
$751,711
Salinas +
Homeownership Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $791,317 | $751,711 | Salinas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 47.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Salinas
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Salinas
2388
Tie
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 32.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.2% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 22.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.9% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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.)
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.6 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, while salinas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $751,711. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Rancho Cucamonga. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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