Richmond 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)
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Richmond
115,396
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Richmond
21.4%
Salinas
21.8%
Salinas +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.4% | 21.8% | Salinas + |
| Black | 17.3% | 1.4% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 5.7% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Salinas
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $89,150 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $28,813 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 14.2% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 15.5% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $751,711 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 47.0% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Salinas
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Salinas
2388
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, 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
Richmond
32.9%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Richmond +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.2% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 22.4% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.8% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | 57.3°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, 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
Richmond
37.7 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 28.8 min | Salinas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $608,357. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Richmond. 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, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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