Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 161,993 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 41.5% | 21.8% | Rochester + |
| Black | 37.5% | 1.4% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Rochester +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Salinas
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $28,813 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 15.5% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $751,711 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 22.4% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 57.3°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 28.8 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. 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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