Salinas CA vs San Antonio TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Salinas
161,993
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Salinas
21.8%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
San Antonio
64.4%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.6 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 14.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 1.4% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.1% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 64.4% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $62,917 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.8% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 17.1% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Salinas +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 34.9% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.2% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 24.5% | Salinas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Salinas +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Salinas, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | 68.5°F | Salinas + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | 34.9 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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