Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Salinas
36.3%
White
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 36.3% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 21.8% | Renton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 1.4% | Renton + |
| Asian | 39.2% | 5.7% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $89,150 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $28,813 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.7% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 14.2% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 15.5% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Salinas
$751,711
Salinas +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $751,711 | Salinas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Renton +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 32.8% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.4% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.2% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 22.4% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.8% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 57.3°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Renton, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Renton, WA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 28.8 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while salinas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $751,711. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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