Roseville 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)

Roseville, CA

California · Population: 50,340

  • Median HH Income$72,248
  • Median Home Price$650,823
  • Unemployment5.0%
  • Bachelor's+21.9%

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
Roseville
50,340
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roseville
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Roseville
44.5
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Roseville
58.6%
Roseville +
Salinas
36.3%
White
Roseville
7.8%
Salinas
21.8%
Salinas +
Black
Roseville
0.6%
Salinas
1.4%
Salinas +
Asian
Roseville
64.9%
Roseville +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Roseville
29.4%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Roseville
N/A
Salinas
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Roseville
$72,248
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Roseville
$27,237
Salinas
$28,813
Salinas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roseville
$77,230
Salinas
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Roseville
5.0%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Roseville
14.1%
Roseville +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Roseville
21.9%
Roseville +
Salinas
15.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roseville
$650,823
Roseville +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Roseville
48.2%
Roseville +
Salinas
47.0%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roseville
503
Salinas
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roseville
2388
Salinas
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roseville
27.2%
Roseville +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roseville
9.4%
Roseville +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roseville
15.8%
Roseville +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roseville
5.6%
Roseville +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roseville
16.6%
Roseville +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roseville
9.5%
Roseville +
Salinas
12.9%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roseville
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roseville
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roseville
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roseville
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roseville
30.5 min
Salinas
28.8 min
Salinas +

Which City is Right for You?

Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while roseville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $650,823. On public safety, Salinas is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Roseville. 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, Roseville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Roseville & Salinas