Salem OR 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Salem +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 161,993 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 69.8% | 21.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 1.4% | Salem + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $28,813 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 15.5% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $751,711 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 47.0% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.4% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 22.4% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.8% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.9% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 57.3°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 28.8 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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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